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ALADORE 


•Ai^ADORE 


BY 


HENRY  NEWBOLT 

AUTHOR    OF    'the   TWYMANS,'    '  THE    NEW  JUNE,'    ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED  IN  COLLOTYPE  FROM  DRAWINGS  BY 

THE   LADT  HTLTON 


New  York 
E.  p.   Dutton  &  Company 

68i   Fifth  Avenue 
1915 


ALL   RIGHTS  RESERVED 


.1         V        ..;-*       •    ••        ..,•>> 


CONTENTS, 


CHAP.  PAGE 

1.  Of  the  Hall  of  Sulney  and  how  Sir  Ywain 

left  it I 

2.  How  Sir  Ywain  saw  his  own  Face  the  First 

Time 8 

3.  How   it   fortuned   to   Ywain   to   find   a   Staff 

in  the  place  of  his  Sword       .  .  .14 

4.  How   Ywain    came    to    an    Hermitage   in   a 

Wood 20 

5.  Of    the    Hermit    and    of    his    Dealing    with 

Ywain  .......        26 

6.  Yet   more   of  the    Hermit,   and   of  a   Word 

that  was  in  Ywain's  Ears       .  .  .32 

7.  How    Ywain   looked    into    the    Water   of  a 

Well,  and  of  that  which  he  saw  therein         36 

8.  How  the  Hermit  set  Ywain  on  his  Way  and 

of  two  Secrets  that  he  told  him  .  .       43 

V 


35940& 


Contents 


9.  Of  Ywain's  Journey  by  Night,  and  how  he 
was  brought  by  a  Lady  to  the  Place  of 
his  Vision,  and  so  left  her     ...        50 

10.  Of  the  Lady  Aithne,  and  of  the  Gifts  that 

she  had  from  her  Birth    .  .  .  .58 

11.  How  the  Lady  Ailinn  departed  out  of  this 

Life  and  of  the  Counsel  that  she  gave  to 

her  Daughter  Aithne       .  .  .  .65 

12.  Of  the  Warring  of  two  Companies,  and  how 

Ywain   did    Battle  for    the   one    of  them 
against  the  other    .  .  .  .  .71 

13.  How  Ywain  was  brought  into    the  City  of 

Paladore         .  .  .  .  .  .78 

14.  How  Ywain  sat  at  Feast  in  Paladore  with  the 

Company  of  the  Tower  and  the  Company 

of  the  Eagle 82 

15.  Of  the  Gifts  that  were  given  to  Ywain  and  of 

a  Dream  that  he  dreamed         .  .  .88 

16.  How  Ywain  found  his  Lady  again,  and  how 

she  went  from  him  the  Second  Time  .       94 

17.  Of  Aladore    and    of   the    Sands    called    the 

Shepherdine  Sands  .  .  .  .101 

18.  Of  Paladore  and  of  the  Princes  thereof .  .      109 

19.  How  Ywain  spoke  with  the  Prince  of  Pala- 

dore  and   how  he   took  upon   him  Three 
Adventures    .  .  .  .  .  .115 


Contents 


20.  Of    the    Adventure    of   the    Chess,    and    by 

what  means  Ywain  brought  his  Men  into 
Obedience      .  .  .  .  .  .119 

21.  Of  the  Adventure  of  the  Castle  of  Maidens 

and  how  Ywain  was  counselled  to  escape 
therefrom        .  .  .  .  .  .130 

22.  Of  the  Adventure  of  the  Howling  Beast         .      137 

23.  How  Ywain   emprised  to  go  to  the  City  of 

the  Saints  and  so  into  the  Delectable  Isle      145 

24.  How  Ywain  saw  the  City  of  the  Saints  the 

First  Time  and  how  he   heard   the  Bells 
thereof .  .  .  .  .  .  .      1 50 

25.  Of  the  manner  of  the  City  and  how  Ywain 

fell  adrowsing  therein       ,  .  .  .156 

26.  How  Ywain  found  his  Lady  in  a  Garden       .      161 

27.  How  Ywain  was  bidden  to  an  Abbey  and  so 

to  be  entrapped  by  Treason       .  .  .166 

28.  How  the   Moon    changed,   and    how   Ywain 

broke  forth  from  the  City  of  the  Saints       171 

29.  How  Ywain  came  into  the  Lost  Lands  of  the 

South,  and  of  Three  Signs  whereby  that 
Country  might  be  known         .  .  .177 

30.  How  Ywain  had  Fellowship  with  the  Fauns  .      188 

31.  How   Ywain   met   with    a    Shepherdess    and 

heard  a  Music,  and  how  he  had  Sight  of 
Aladore  the  First  Time  .  .  .  .192 

vii 


Contents 


53.  How  Ywain  and   Aithne   came  to   Paladore 

the   Last  Time,  and  how  the   Snow  fell 

all  Night  Long      .         .         .         .         -332 

54.  How  the  Horn  was  given  into  Ywain's  Hand, 

and  how  he  sounded  thereon  a  Mort  Royal     338 

55.  How  the  Eagles  fared  in  Fighting,  and  how 

Sir  Rainald  would  have  dealt  with  Ywain  .      343 

56.  How  Ywain  beheld  a  Dead  Man  laid  on  Bier     351 

57.  Of  a    Battle  by   Fire  and   how  Ywain   and 

Aithne  were  no  more  seen  in  Paladore   .     358 

58.  Of  a  Tomb  that  was  found  in  Paladore,  and 

of  Divers   Sayings  that  were  heard   con- 
cerning it       .  .  .  .  .  .361 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


1 .  How  Sir  Ywain  was  led  away  of  a  Child        .  4 

2.  "It  was   the   hour   of  sparrow-chirp,   which 

comes  a  little  before  the  rising  of  the  sun"        16 

3.  How  Ywain  looked  into  the  Water  of  a  Well        36 

4.  How  the  Lady  Ailinn  saw  Two  Women  of 

the  Sidhe 58 

5.  "  He  saw  under  the  moon  that  lady  sitting  "  .        92 

6.  "  He  came  to  the  mirror   and   stood   still  to 

look  into  it" 98 

7.  "  And  as  he  heard  it  Ywain  forgot  all  the  ills 

that  he  had  suffered  in  all  his  life,  and  he 
thought  on  such  a  place  as  might  be  the 
land  of  his  desire"         .  .  .  .142 

8.  How  Ywain  found  his  Lady  in  a  Garden        .      162 

9.  "  One  child  held  a  squirrel  between  his  hands  "      1 84 
1  o.  "  There  was  yet  another  child  fast  by,  which 

vexed  the  piper  with  a  barley  straw  "  .186 

xi 


Illustrations 


11.  "Upon  the  rocks  was  the  young  faun  sitting, 

and  playing  on  his  pipes  "  .  .  .198 

12.  How  Ywain  beheld  a  Game  of  Children         .      246 

13.  "There  before  the  doorway  stood  Aithne  in 

the  morning  gold "  .  .  .  .260 

14.  "And  as  she  sang  she  weaved  a  witch-knot 

upon  the  air  with  both  her  hands  "    .  .     322 

1  5.  A  Tomb  that  was  found  in  Paladore      .  .360 


In  every  land  thy  feet  may  tread 
Time  like  a  veil  is  round  thy  head  : 
Only  the  land  thou  seekst  auith  me 
Never  hath  been  nor  yet  shall  he» 

It  is  not  far  ^  it  is  not  near. 
Name  it  hath  none  that  earth  can  hear  : 
But  there  thy  soul  shall  build  again 
Memories  long  destroyed  of  men. 
And  joy  thereby  shall  like  a  river 
Wander  from  deep  to  deep  for  ever. 

— Dream-market. 


ALADORE. 


CHAPTER    I. 

OF   THE    HALL    OF    SULNEY   AND    HOW 
SIR   YWAIN    LEFT    IT. 

Sir  Ywain  ^  sat  in  the  Hall  of  Sulney  and 
did  justice  upon  wrong-doers.  And  one  man 
had  gathered  sticks  where  he  ought  not,  and 
this  was  for  the  twentieth  time  ;  and  another 
had  snared  a  rabbit  of  his  lord's,  and  this  was 
for  the  fortieth  time ;  and  another  had  beaten 
his  wife,  and  she  him,  and  this  was  for  the 
hundredth  time :  so  that  Sir  Ywain  was  weary 
of  the  sight  of  them.  Moreover,  his  steward 
stood   beside   him,   and    put   him   in   remem- 

^  Ywain  =  Ewain  or  Ewan. 


Alad 


ore 


brance  of  all  the  misery  that  had  else  been 
forgotten. 

And  in  the  midst  of  his  judging  there  was 
brought  into  the  hall  a  child  that  had  been 
found  in  the  road,  a  boy  of  seven  years  as  it 
seemed :  and  he  was  dressed  in  fine  hunting 
green,  but  not  after  the  fashion  of  that  day  or 
country.  Also  when  they  spoke  to  him  he 
answered  becomingly,  but  in  a  speech  that 
no  one  could  understand. 

So  Sir  Ywain  had  him  set  by  the  table  at 
his  own  side,  and  now  and  again  as  he  judged 
those  wrong-doers,  he  cast  a  look  upon  the 
child.  And  always  the  child  looked  back  at 
him  with  bright  eyes,  and  even  when  there 
was  no  looking  between  them,  he  listened  to 
what  was  being  said,  and  smiled  as  though 
that  which  was  weariness  to  others  was  to 
him  something  new  and  joyful.  But  as  the 
hour  passed.  Sir  Ywain  felt  his  mind  slacken 
more  and  more,  and  whenever  he  saw  the 
boy  smiling,  his  own  heart  became  heavier 
and   heavier   between   his  shoulders,  and   his 


Aladore 


life  and  the  life  of  his  people  seemed  like  a 
high-road,  dusty  and  endless,  that  might  never 
be  left  without  trespassing.  And  though  he 
would  not  break  off  from  his  judging,  yet  he 
groaned  over  the  offenders  instead  of  rebuking 
them ;  and  when  he  should  have  punished, 
he  dismissed  them  upon  their  promise,  so  that 
his  steward  was  mortified,  and  the  guilty 
could  not  believe  their  ears. 

Then  when  all  was  said  and  done  the  hall 
was  cleared,  and  Sir  Ywain  was  left  alone 
with  the  boy. 

But  the  steward,  looking  slyly  back  through 
the  hinges  of  the  door,  saw  that  his  lord  and 
the  child  were  speaking  together ;  and  he 
perceived  that  they  understood  one  another 
well  enough,  though  how  this  should  have 
come  about  he  was  not  able  to  guess,  having 
himself  heard  the  boy  answering  to  all  ques- 
tions in  none  but  an  outlandish  tongue. 

Then  he  saw  Sir  Ywain  rise  up,  and  sud- 
denly he  was  aware  that  his  lord  was  calling 
for  him  loudly  and  with  a  hearty  voice,  as 
3 


Aladore 


he  would  call  for  him  long  since,  when  they 
were  at  the  wars  together.  And  when  he 
went  in,  Sir  Ywain  bade  him  summon  all 
the  household. 

Now  when  the  household  were  come  into 
the  hall  they  stood  at  a  little  distance  from 
the  dais,  in  the  order  of  their  service,  and 
Sir  Ywain  stood  above  them  in  front  of  the 
high  table.  And  beside  him  was  the  boy, 
and  before  him  was  his  own  brother,  who 
was  now  an  esquire  grown,  with  hawk  on 
wrist. 

Then  Sir  Ywain  bade  his  brother  kneel 
down,  and  there  he  made  him  knight,  taking 
his  sword  from  him  and  laying  it  on  his 
shoulder,  and  afterwards  belting  it  again 
round  his  body.  And  he  took  the  keys  from 
his  own  girdle  and  the  gold  spurs  from  his 
own  feet,  and  said  aloud :  I  call  you  all  to 
witness  that  as  I  have  done  off  my  knight- 
hood and  the  Honour  of  Sulney,  and  given 
them  to  this  my  brother  Sir  Turquin,  so 
also  by  these  tokens  do  I  deliver  unto  him 
4 


Alad 


ore 


the  quiet  possession  of  my  house  and  goods 
and  the  seisin  of  all  my  lands,  to  hold  unto 
him  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  by  the  service 
due  and  accustomed  for  the  same.  And 
henceforth  I  go  free. 

Then  his  brother,  who  was  both  glad  and 
sorry,  and  moreover  was  still  in  doubt  how 
this  might  end,  stood  holding  the  keys  and 
the  spurs,  and  looking  at  him  without  a 
word.  And  he  looked  also  at  the  child,  and 
he  saw  that  for  all  the  difference  in  their 
years,  the  eyes  of  Sir  Ywain  had  become 
like  the  boy's  eyes:  and  as  he  looked  his 
heart  became  heavy,  and  for  a  moment  he 
envied  his  brother  and  feared  for  himself. 
But  in  his  fear  he  moved  his  hands,  and 
the  keys  clanked  and  the  spurs  clinked 
together,  and  his  heart  leaped  up  again  for 
oy  of  his  possessions. 

And    all    this    Ywain    saw    as    it    were    a 

great    way    off,    and    he    smiled,    and    forgot 

it   again   instantly.      And    the    boy   took   his 

hand,  and  they  went  down  the  hall  together. 

5 


Aladore 


And  when  they  came  to  the  door  to  pass 
out,  the  steward  got  before  them  and  bowed 
as  he  was  used  to  do,  and  he  spoke  very 
gravely  to  Sir  Ywain,  reminding  him  that  this 
same  afternoon  had  been  appointed  among 
the  lords,  his  neighbours,  for  the  witnessing 
of  certain  charters. 

But  Ywain  and  the  boy  looked  at  one 
another  and  laughed,  and  the  steward  saw 
that  they  laughed  at  the  lords  and  at  him 
and  at  the  very  greatness  of  the  business: 
and  he  was  enraged,  and  turned  away  and 
went  to  his  new  master. 

Then  Sir  Turquin  came  hastily  after  them, 
and  he  laid  his  hand  upon  his  brother's  arm 
and  bent  his  head  a  little,  and  spoke  to  him 
so  that  none  else  should  hear,  and  he  said  : 
What  is  this  that  you  are  doing ;  for  no  man 
leaves  all  that  he  has,  and  departs  suddenly, 
taking  nothing  with  him.  But  those  two  went 
from  him  without  answering,  and  they  passed, 
as  it  seemed,  very  swiftly  along  the  road 
under  the  woodside,  and  were  hidden  from 
6 


Aladore 

him.  And  again,  as  he  stood  still  watching, 
he  saw  them  going  swiftly  above  the  wood 
where  there  was  no  path,  but  only  the  bare 
wold  before  them. 


CHAPTER    II. 

HOW    SIR   YWAIN    SAW    HIS   OWN    FACE 
THE   FIRST   TIME. 

Now  the  truth  is  that  when  Ywain  turned 
his  back  on  his  old  life  and  the  snug  lord- 
ship that  was  his,  he  had  no  thought  of  what 
was  to  be  the  way  of  his  wandering,  nor  did 
he  so  much  as  know  by  which  of  the  world's, 
four  roads  he  would  begin  his  journey.  But 
he  climbed  upon  the  open  wold  as  if  all  his 
pleasure  was  to  climb  and  to  strike  his  feet 
firmly  and  to  breathe  deep :  and  the  boy 
went  by  his  side  in  like  manner,  and  they 
spoke  no  word. 

But  when   they  were   come   to  the  height 
of  the  slope,  Ywain  turned  and  looked  down 
upon  the  homestead  of  Sulney,  and  he  saw 
8 


Aladore 


it  small  and  clear  under  the  midday  sun,  as 
like  as  may  be  to  a  toy  that  a  child  would 
play  with :  and  there  was  no  man  moving 
about  it,  but  only  the  white  pigeons  flying 
this  way  and  that  upon  the  roofs.  And  it 
was  lovely  to  him,  for  he  saw  it  as  a  time 
that  is  past. 

Then  he  looked  a  little  farther,  and  he  saw 
the  broad  road,  and  dust  kindling  along  it 
like  smoke,  and  in  the  dust  a  great  company 
riding :  and  they  rode  in  order  by  two  and 
by  two,  and  their  jogging  was  heavy,  and 
Ywain  remembered  that  these  were  the  lords 
who  had  appointed  to  do  business  with  him. 

And  because  of  them  the  place  was  no 
longer  lovely  to  him,  and  he  turned  away 
and  ran  quickly  over  the  ridge,  and  when  he 
could  see  them  no  more  he  laughed:  and 
the  boy  also  ran  and  laughed,  and  their 
laughter  was  as  though  they  were  both 
truants  from  school,  escaping  narrowly  with 
fear  and  joy  together.  And  on  the  other 
side  of  the  ridge  they  cast  themselves  down 
9 


Aladore 


upon  the  grass,  and  among  the  grass  were 
thistles,  and  the  thistles  pricked  them  sharply, 
and  they  rolled  and  were  pricked  again,  and 
laughed  again  and  yet  again. 

Then  they  set  their  shoulders  against  a 
bank,  and  sat  still,  looking  to  the  country 
that  was  before  them.  On  the  one  hand  lay 
the  sea  near  by,  and  upon  it  white  sails 
of  ships  that  were  sailing  marvellously,  for 
though  they  were  upon  the  sea  yet  they 
sailed,  as  it  seemed,  high  above  the  land. 
And  on  the  other  side  lay  a  thick  wood 
that  hid  all  the  far  country,  and  before  the 
wood  was  a  village  and  a  tower.  And 
Ywain  knew  that  village  well  enough,  cot 
and  lot,  barn  and  balk,  and  he  thought  not 
at  all  of  the  village,  but  only  of  the  wood 
and  the  great  depth  of  it  and  of  what  might 
be  beyond.     And  so  thinking  he  fell  asleep. 

But  when  he  awoke  the  sun  was  westering, 
and  he  looked  again  upon  the  village  and 
saw  it  as  though  it  were  strange  to  him, 
and   he  could  not  remember  even  the  name 


Alad 


ore 


of  it.  Then  he  stood  up,  and  turned  towards 
the  place  beside  him  where  the  boy  had 
been :  and  as  he  looked  he  was  astonished, 
for  the  boy  was  there  still,  sleeping  as  him- 
self had  slept,  but  his  face  was  like  the  face 
of  an  old  man,  and  the  lines  upon  it  were 
countless,  like  bird-marks  on  the  river  sand. 

So  Ywain  stood  staring  for  a  while,  and 
he  said  to  himself:  Now  I  know  by  the 
trouble  in  my  head  that  either  I  have  lost 
my  wits,  as  a  man  beat  down  in  battle,  or 
else  in  all  this  there  is  a  meaning  that  I 
have  known  and  forgotten,  for  it  seems  to 
be  both  reasonable  and  impossible.  Then 
he  touched  the  boy's  hand  and  awoke  him, 
and  when  he  saw  his  eyes  again,  he  asked 
him :  Who,  then,  are  you  ? 

And  the  boy  said :  Answer  me  first  the 
same  question. 

But  Ywain  would  not,  for  he  said  :  Why 
must  I  answer  first  ? 

And  the  boy  said :  Let  be,  then ;  for  you 
know  already  what  you  would  answer,  and 
II 


Aladore 


there  is  but  one  and  the  same  answer  to 
your  question  and  to  mine. 

Then  Ywain  looked  no  more  into  the  boy's 
eyes  but  upon  the  ground,  and  bewilderment 
came  upon  him  again,  for  he  said  in  his 
heart :  This  that  he  says  is  madness,  and 
yet  I  seem  to  know  that  it  is  true.  And 
when  he  lifted  his  head  again  he  said  to  the 
boy:  How  can  a  man  speak  with  himself 
face  to  face :  and  how  can  I,  that  am  neither, 
Nbe  both  an  old  man  and  a  boy? 

But  the  boy  answered  him :  Is  not  every 
man  that  which  was  and  that  which  shall 
be:  and  in  all  the  days  of  his  life  shall  he 
not  once  or  twice  see  the  face  of  his  desire  ? 
And  as  he  spoke  Ywain  heard  him  plainly, 
but  now  he  saw  him  not  so  plainly,  though 
he  stood  looking  down  upon  him  in  the 
same  place:  and  he  said  quickly:  Tell  me 
this,  then :  what  is  my  desire  ? 

And  he  heard  again  the  answer  as  one 
that  hears  a  voice  through  the  mist :  but  the 
words  were  in  an  unknown  tongue.     And  he 

12 


Aladore 


peered  down,  and  stooped,  and  where  the 
boy  had  been  there  was  but  the  long  grass 
and  the  thistles :  and  when  he  rose  up  again 
he  saw  the  hillside  clear  before  him,  and  the 
sun  was  low  and  the  edges  of  the  bents  were 
glistening,  and  nothing  moved  among  them 
but  the  wind  of  sunset. 


13 


CHAPTER    III. 

HOW  IT  FORTUNED  TO  YWAIN  TO  FIND  A  STAFF 
IN  THE   PLACE  OF  HIS  SWORD. 

Then  Ywain  turned  his  face  towards  the 
village,  and  went  down  the  hill :  and  he  went 
with  a  good  heart,  for  though  the  boy  had  left 
him,  yet  he  hoped  not  to  be  long  without  him, 
and  even  now  when  he  looked  straight  forward 
it  seemed  that  he  had  the  joy  of  his  company 
and  his  laughter.  But  when  he  turned  and 
looked  beside  him,  there  was  but  his  own 
shadow;  black  it  lay  and  long,  and  about  the 
edges  of  it  a  brightness  was  shining.  Then 
he  remembered  that  the  sun  was  low  and  night 
rising  among  the  hollows,  and  he  bethought 
him  of  his  supper  and  sleep. 

So    he   went    quickly   to    the    village,    and 
14 


Aladore 


passed  through  it  and  came  to  the  farmer's 
house  that  lay  beside  the  great  wood :  and 
the  farmwife  gave  him  welcome,  as  one 
that  knew  not  who  he  was,  but  could  well 
pitch  her  guess  within  a  mile  or  so.  And 
she  whispered  to  her  husband,  but  he  was 
hard  of  hearing  and  full  of  slumber  from  the 
fields.  So  when  Ywain  had  supped,  they 
showed  him  where  he  should  lie.  And  when 
he  was  come  there  he  laid  him  down,  and 
the  day  went  from  him  in  a  moment  and  he 
knew  no  more  whether  he  were  alive  or  dead. 

But  very  early  in  the  morning  he  awoke, 
and  he  saw  that  over  against  his  face  as  he 
lay  abed  there  was  a  window  in  the  wall.  And 
the  window  was  open,  and  there  came  through 
it  a  small  sweet  noise,  for  it  was  the  time  of 
sparrow  chirp,  which  comes  just  before  the 
rising  of  the  sun.  So  he  rose  from  his  bed 
and  went  to  the  window  and  leaned  with  his 
arms  upon  the  sill,  watching  for  the  day  to 
turn  from  grey n ess  to  light. 

And  as  he  leaned  and  watched  he  heard 
15 


Alad 


ore 


a  noise  of  talking  in  the  house  below,  for  the 
door  was  right  there  beneath  him,  and  it 
stood  open  wide.  Moreover,  the  talking  was 
loud,  for  they  that  talked  were  the  farmer 
and  his  wife,  and  she  spoke  loud  because  he 
was  hard  of  hearing,  and  he  spoke  yet  louder 
because  she  was  his  wife,  and  he  wished  his 
saying  to  prevail  over  hers. 

So  she  said  in  a  high  voice :  As  surely  as 
an  egg  is  an  egg,  by  the  same  token  this  is 
my  lord  of  Sulney. 

Then  he  spoke  scornfully  of  her  and  her 
eggs,  and  he  asked  her  for  what  reason  of 
all  the  reasons  on  earth  should  such  a  one  as 
my  lord  of  Sulney  come  to  sup  in  a  farm- 
stead that  was  none  of  his,  and  sleep  in  a 
vile  bed,  when  he  had  better  within  a  bare 
league. 

And  she  answered  quickly  that  though  a 
thing  were  clean  past  a  man's  understanding, 
yet  it  might  well  happen  so  for  all  that :  and 
further,  she  would  have  him  to  know  that  in 
her  house  were  no  vile  beds,  but  such  as 
i6 


Alad 


ore 


were   fit   for   any   man   to   sleep   in,   and   she 
cared  not  who  he  might  be. 

And  at  that  he  growled  a  little,  like  a  dog 
that  is  made  to  cease  barking.  Then  he  spoke 
to  her  again,  in  the  manner  of  one  who  deals 
with  a  child,  making  a  show  of  gentleness  and 
mastery  together.  See  now,  he  said,  and 
I  will  give  you  three  reasons  why  you  have 
the  wrong  and  I  have  the  right  of  it.  First 
then,  this  one  that  has  had  supper  and 
sleeping-room  of  us  is  a  young  man,  and  quick 
to  rise  and  to  sit  down,  but  my  lord  of  Sulney 
is  past  his  youth  and  waxing  heavy.  Secondly, 
this  one  came  to  us  walking  upon  his  own 
shanks,  and  that  no  lord  would  do  that  had 
the  horses  of  Sulney,  for  I  have  seen  them 
time  and  again,  and  in  these  parts  there  are 
none  better.  And  beside  these  two  reasons, 
there  is  a  third  that  you  might  well  have  seen 
with  your  own  eyes,  for  this  man's  cloak  is 
the  cloak  of  a  pilgrim  and  not  of  a  lord,  and 
his  hat  and  staff  are  such  as  none  use  but 
wayfarers.  And  if  you  will  not  believe  me 
B  17 


Aladore 


now,  you  may  ask  him  for  the  truth  of  it 
yourself. 

That  will  I  do,  said  the  woman. 

Then  Ywain  fell  into  a  study,  for  he  saw 
that  in  despite  of  all  those  reasons  her  mind 
was  not  changed,  but  that  she  would  certainly 
ask  the  truth  of  him.  And  it  seemed  hard 
to  him  to  know  what  the  truth  might  be : 
for  he  remembered  how  he  had  put  off  the 
lordship  that  was  his,  but  he  could  not  tell 
how  he  had  become  young,  nor  how  he  had 
lost  his  sword  and  come  by  the  hat  and 
staff  of  his  pilgrimage  :  so  that  he  thought 
at  one  moment,  I  am  that  lord,  and  at 
another,  I  am  not,  and  his  life  past  seemed 
like  a  dream  of  the  night. 

And  while  he  was  still  wondering  he  went 
down  the  steps,  and  in  the  room  that  was 
below  he  saw  the  farmwife  with  bread  for 
him  to  break  his  fast,  and  the  man  by  the 
door ;  and  against  the  wall  he  saw  his  hat 
and  staff.  And  as  he  ate,  the  woman  said  to 
him :  Look  you,  sir,  we  are  not  used  to 
i8 


Alad 


ore 


keep  guests  that  are  unknown  to  us.  But 
we  knew  you,  that  you  are  my  lord  of 
Sulney. 

Then  Ywain  said,  I  am  not,  and  immedi- 
ately the  farmer  slapped  his  hand  upon  his 
thigh  and  shouted  at  his  wife.  But  Ywain 
saw  the  woman  look  at  him,  and  he  looked 
at  her,  and  she  smiled  to  him  as  to  one  that 
was  bidding  her  keep  a  thing  secret.  And 
she  said  to  her  husband.  There  is  no  need 
for  you  to  shout :  for  an  apple  may  have  a 
red  side  and  a  green,  and  yet  it  is  an  apple, 
to  him  that  hath  understanding. 

Then  Ywain  gave  her  thanks,  and  took  his 
leave  of  them  both :  and  he  went  out  into 
the  sunlight,  and  followed  the  path  into  the 
high  wood.  But  he  saw  nothing  of  his  way 
as  he  went,  for  all  his  thought  was  upon 
that  answer  which  he  had  given,  whereby  he 
had  answered  others,  but  in  no  wise  answered 
himself. 


19 


CHAPTER    IV. 

HOW   YWAIN    CAME   TO   AN    HERMITAGE 
IN    A   WOOD. 

So  Ywain  marched  alone  in  the  high  wood, 
and  for  a  time  he  saw  no  more  the  sun,  nor 
the  light  of  the  sun,  for  the  wood  was  of 
pines  and  they  were  marvellous  thick  above 
his  head.  But  the  stems  were  far  enough 
apart  and  the  track  went  this  way  and  that 
among  them,  and  whiles  it  turned  aside  and 
whiles  it  forked,  and  whiles  it  was  no  track 
at  all.  But  Ywain  went  always  right  forward 
and  would  not  stay,  nor  leave  following  his 
own  thought.  And  as  he  went  it  came  again 
into  his  mind  that  he  was  a  new  man,  for 
though  he  was  still  amazed  with  questions  yet 
he  carried  neither  forethought  nor  repentance, 


Aladore 


and  he  marched  to  a  song  that  was  in  his 
ears.  And  in  his  marching  there  came  to 
him  the  remembrance  of  the  child  that  had 
led  him  forth,  and  though  he  knew  surely 
that  he  was  now  alone,  yet,  by  the  imagina- 
tion of  his  heart,  he  could  well  see  the  child 
dancing  before  him  upon  the  path  of  the 
forest. 

And  at  last  when  he  had  gone  a  long  way 
and  could  by  no  means  tell  how  long,  on  a 
sudden  he  looked  far  before  him  and  saw 
the  ground  all  fresh  with  grass,  and  no  more 
pine-needles  upon  it  but  sunlight  and  shadow. 
And  he  went  quickly  forward  and  came  out 
from  the  dark  wood  and  stood  in  an  open 
grove  that  was  hoar  with  silver-birches :  and 
beyond  the  grove  was  a  stream  that  ran 
burbling,  and  beyond  the  stream  was  a  bank 
with  great  beeches  upon  it.  So  for  delight 
of  that  place  he  turned  and  left  following 
the  path,  and  went  along  between  the  beech- 
roots  and  the  stream. 

And  as  he  went  the  bank  upon  the  right 

21 


Alad 


ore 


hand  was  ever  higher  and  steeper,  until  there 
were  no  more  beeches  upon  it,  but  by  the 
stream  was  a  bare  lawn  between  this  wood 
and  that,  and  a  little  cliff  thereby,  as  sharp 
as  a  cliff  of  the  sea.  Now  the  cliff  was  of 
red  sand,  and  the  face  of  it  was  carven  curi- 
ously :  for  in  it  were  two  steps  and  a  door- 
way, as  it  were  the  doorway  of  a  church, 
and  two  windows  of  like  fashion  with  a 
little  mullion  to  each  :  so  that  Ywain  knew 
it  for  an  hermitage.  And  he  sat  down  to 
look  upon  it,  stepping  back  within  the  shadow 
of  the  beech-trees :  and  when  he  looked,  it 
did  him  great  good  to  see  and  to  think  upon 
it,  for  the  house  was  small  and  secret,  and 
though  the  carven  work  of  it  was  but  plain, 
yet  it  well  showed  the  pleasure  of  him  that 
had  worked  at  it. 

Then  the  hermit  came  out  from  within, 
and  when  he  saw  him  Ywain  kept  close  to 
watch  what  he  would  do,  for  he  knew  not 
the  manner  of  hermits,  nor  how  they  live 
all  their  life-days,  seeing  that  they  have  time 

22 


Aladore 


before  them  like  new-fallen  snow,  without 
fence  or  foot-mark. 

Now  the  hermit  had  bread  in  his  hand, 
and  Ywain  hungered  at  the  sight  of  it,  for 
he  had  had  none  since  the  morning  was 
early,  and  it  was  now  late,  and  this  he  knew 
by  the  hermit's  shadow,  for  it  lay  small  and 
squat  about  his  feet.  Nevertheless  he  would 
not  move,  but  kept  still  where  he  sat,  for  his 
desire  to  see  was  greater  than  his  desire  to 
eat,  and  he  thought  moreover  that  he  might 
yet  come  to  the  eating  after  the  seeing. 

So  he  looked  and  saw  as  he  desired :  for 
the  hermit  broke  the  bread  and  rubbed  it 
in  his  hand  and  threw  the  crumbs  abroad 
upon  the  lawn :  and  instantly  there  came 
upon  the  place  a  dozen  of  small  fowls,  such 
as  dunnocks  and  finches,  and  they  hovered 
and  hopped  after  the  bread  as  long  as  he 
would  throw  it.  And  some  part  of  it  he 
would  not  throw,  but  he  walked  away  from 
the  birds  and  came  to  the  stream  and  held 
out  his  hand  above  a  little  pool  where  the 
23 


Aladore 


water  ran  curdling.  And  Ywain  knew  that 
he  was  giving  the  remnant  to  the  fish,  and 
that  they  were  by  likehhood  trout  that  came 
for  it,  for  where  a  crumb  fell  upon  the  pool 
there  he  saw  the  water  broken,  and  at  some 
times  there  was  no  splashing  but  only  a  ridge 
that  ran  swiftly  upon  the  face  of  the  pool. 

Then  when  all  was  finished  the  hermit 
stood  looking  upon  the  water  as  one  that 
loved  the  sound  of  it  and  had  no  need  to 
be  elsewhere.  But  the  sun  was  strong  upon 
his  head,  and  Ywain  saw  how  he  drew  his 
hood  around  his  neck  where  it  was  bare 
at  the  nape,  and  so  went  back  to  the  house 
in  the  rock.  And  as  he  entered  in  at  the 
doorway  the  shadow  was  cool  and  dark  upon 
him,  and  then  he  was  gone  as  a  fox  goes 
into  his  earth. 

But  Ywain  mused  yet  a  little  while  longer, 
and  all  that  he  had  seen  seemed  strange  and 
very  good  to  him,  like  the  tales  of  the  elves 
and  pixies,  of  whom  there  is  nothing  told 
that  will  not  please  young  children,  because 
24 


Alad 


ore 


they  also  have  their  dealing  with  the  little 
things  of  the  earth,  and  are  of  no  account 
with  grown  men.  And  he  wondered  if  this 
might  be  the  end  of  his  desire,  to  live  secretly 
and  far  off  from  men,  having  his  converse 
only  with  the  creatures  of  the  greenwood. 


25 


CHAPTER    V. 

OF   THE    HERMIT   AND   OF   HIS   DEALING 
WITH    YWAIN. 

So  within  a  while  he  got  upon  his  feet  and 
came  to  the  door  in  the  rock  and  called  to 
the  hermit ;  and  the  hermit  came  from 
within  and  stood  shading  his  eyes  with  his 
hand,  and  asked  him  the  reason  of  his  call- 
ing. And  Ywain  answered  him  courteously, 
making  as  though  to  take  his  hat  from  off 
his  head  in  sign  of  reverence :  and  the  her- 
mit lifted  his  eyes  in  the  same  moment  and 
saw  that  the  hat  was  the  hat  of  a  pilgrim, 
and  yet  of  no  accustomed  pilgrim,  for  there 
were  upon  it  neither  shells  nor  images. 
Also  he  saw  that  Ywain's  cloak  was  not 
threadworn  nor  his  shoes  broken.  And  his 
26 


Aladore 


face  he  could  not  well  see  for  the  bright- 
ness of  the  sunlight,  but  by  his  voice  he 
might  perceive  him  to  be  young  and  gentle, 
and  none  of  the  wandering  rogues  of  whom 
all  hermits  dwell  in  dread.  Then  he  brought 
him  into  his  cave,  that  was  as  like  a  house  as 
a  cave  may  be,  and  he  made  him  sit  by  a 
table,  and  gave  him  to  eat  and  to  drink. 

And  when  Ywain  had  well  eaten  and 
drunk  the  hermit  asked  him  concerning  the 
way  by  which  he  had  come,  and  the  way  by 
which  he  would  go  forth  again :  but  he 
would  not  ask  of  his  name,  nor  in  what 
house  he  was  born,  nor  even  of  his  pilgrim- 
age, for  he  also  was  courteous,  and  his 
mind  was  to  pleasure  his  guest  and  not 
himself  only.  Nevertheless  he  was  not 
willing  to  lose  the  companionship  that  had 
fallen  to  him  until  he  should  have  heard 
somewhat  of  the  dealing  of  men,  for  it  was 
long  since  he  had  had  knowledge  thereof  by 
one  of  like  breeding  with  himself.  So  he 
spoke  to  Ywain  of  to-morrow,  and  of  certain 

27 


Alad 


ore 


things  that  he  would  show  him,  and  Ywain 
heard  him  gladly  enough,  for  his  feet  were 
now  heavy  with  weariness  and  good  eating. 
And  the  hermit  knew  this  by  the  sound  of 
his  speech,  and  he  laid  him  upon  his  own 
bed  and  bade  him  take  his  ease. 

Now  when  Ywain  awoke  he  looked  first 
upon  the  wall  of  the  chamber  and  saw  that 
there  was  a  glint  of  sunlight  upon  it  high 
up,  whereby  he  knew  that  the  day  was  fall- 
ing. Also  he  was  aware  that  there  was  one 
watching  him,  and  when  he  had  turned  his 
head  he  saw  how  it  was  the  hermit  who 
stood  in  the  doorway  of  the  chamber :  and 
the  man's  face  seemed  to  him  wise  and 
quiet,  as  of  one  that  had  many  thoughts 
and  mastery  therewith. 

So  they  two  went  to  supper,  and  this  was 
the  first  time  that  they  had  eaten  together. 
And  at  one  time  they  remembered  this,  and 
at  another  they  forgot  it :  for  they  spoke  not 
of  their  doing  but  chiefiy  of  their  deeming, 
and  often  they  would  be  eager  the  one  to 
28 


Aladore 


put  question  to  the  other,  and  often  they 
would  know  before  question  put  how  the 
answer  would  be. 

Then  at  the  last  Ywain  was  minded  to 
ask  counsel  of  the  hermit,  and  in  one  tale 
he  told  him  all,  to  wit,  how  that  in  a  day 
his  life  had  changed,  and  how  that  he  had 
left  his  own  house  and  the  house  of  his 
fathers,  and  gone  out  to  seek  his  desire, 
and  again  how  that  he  had  as  yet  no 
certainty  of  what  his  desire  might  be.  Only 
he  told  nothing  of  the  boy  that  had  come 
and  led  him  away:  but  he  put  his  own 
desire  in  place  of  the  boy,  for  he  was  willing 
rather  to  be  counted  a  fool  than  a  teller  of 
marvels.  And  he  thought  that  his  adventure 
might  be  judged  as  well  by  the  part  as  by 
the  whole,  for  that  which  he  would  hold 
back  was  in  no  wise  the  marrow  of  it. 

But  the  hermit  said :  Desire  is  a  child  : 
yet  will  he  take  a  man  by  the  hand  and  lead 
him  away. 

Then  Ywain  was  astonished,  for  he  said 
29 


Aladore 


within  himself,  How  can  this  hermit  have 
knowledge  of  the  child,  seeing  that  I  told 
him  nothing? 

Then  the  hermit  said  further,  This  is 
the  part  of  a  man,  to  know  whether  his  desire 
be  a  wise  child  or  a  wayward.  For  the 
wayward  will  swiftly  take  him  a-wandering, 
and  swiftly  in  his  wandering  will  leave  him  : 
but  the  wise  will  never  leave  him  utterly. 

Then  Ywain  asked  him,  By  what  reason 
may  that  be  ?  And  the  hermit  said.  By 
nature :  for  every  man  is  that  which  hath 
been  and  that  which  shall  be. 

Then  Ywain  was  yet  more  astonished,  and 
his  mind  swung  backwards  and  he  thought, 
Certainly  I  must  have  told  him,  for  these 
words  are  every  one  of  them  the  words  of 
the  boy.  And  instantly  his  mind  swung 
again  and  he  thought.  But  I  told  him  not. 
And  he  looked  at  the  hermit's  face  and  saw 
it  hardly,  for  the  twilight  was  covering  it 
from  him  by  little  and  little :  but  he  saw 
the  two  eyes  of  him  and  they  were  not 
30 


Al  adore 


fainter  but  clearer,  and  Ywain's  heart  lay 
open  to  them  like  water  to  the  stars.  And 
he  said  within  himself,  The  words  that  I 
told  not,  he  perceived  them  with  his  eyes. 

Then  the  hermit  rose  up  softly  and  went 
out,  and  when  he  came  again  he  brought 
heather  and  fern,  and  he  made  Ywain  a  bed 
beyond  his  own,  and  they  slept  before  it 
was  dark. 


31 


CHAPTER    VI. 

YET   MORE   OF   THE    HERMIT,   AND   OF   A   WORD 
THAT  WAS   IN   YWAIN's   EARS. 

In  the  morning  when  they  had  arisen  they 
went  out  of  the  house  and  came  to  the  stream, 
for  the  hermit  said  that  they  should  bathe 
in  it,  and  he  showed  Ywain  a  pool  that  was 
deep  enough.  Then  they  did  off  their  clothes 
hastily  and  threw  themselves  into  the  water 
after  the  manner  of  otters,  and  at  a  stroke 
they  came  to  the  top  of  the  pool.  And  there 
was  a  little  waterfall  there,  and  the  stream 
of  it  carried  them  down,  and  they  touched 
the  stones  and  crept  out  upon  them.  Then 
they  took  the  water  again  more  strongly 
and  came  right  to  the  waterfall  and  stood 
beneath  it,  and  it  splashed  upon  their  heads 
32 


Alad 


ore 


and  divided  the  hair  like  a  cold  knife.  And 
at  that  they  laughed  together  and  so  threw 
themselves  back  and  were  carried  down 
again,  and  they  came  quickly  to  their 
clothes,  blowing  with  their  breath  and  shiv- 
ering. But  when  they  had  run  to  the  house 
they  were  warm  and  fresh. 

Then  the  hermit  set  two  bowls  of  milk 
with  bread  upon  the  table.  And  Ywain  was 
glad  of  the  sight  of  that  food,  and  he  sat 
where  the  murmuring  of  the  stream  came 
in  at  the  window,  and  a  soft  air  with  it, 
and  the  world  was  made  new  for  him.  But 
he  ate  and  drank  with  few  words,  for  he 
was  thinking  within  himself  how  that  to- 
morrow had  come  and  he  knew  not  yet 
whether  to  go  or  stay.  And  often  in 
his  thinking  he  looked  at  the  hermit,  and 
the  hermit  looked  kindly  back  at  him,  and 
nodded:  and  it  was  as  though  he  nodded 
to  Ywain's  thought,  but  he  spoke  nothing 
with  his  lips.  Yet  at  one  time  there  was 
a  voice,  and  Ywain  heard  it  plainly:  and 
c  33 


Aladore 


the  voice  said :  For  delight  men  stay,  but 
for  desire  they  go  forth.  And  he  looked 
hard  at  the  hermit,  and  the  hermit  nodded 
again  to  him,  as  though  he  also  had  heard 
that  voice,  and  knew  it  to  say  truth :  but 
he  spoke  nothing  with  his  Hps. 

Then  Ywain  said  aloud:  Surely  I  heard 
a  voice  and  it  was  not  your  voice  nor  mine, 
yet  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  heard  it  not  in 
my  imagination  but  in  my  ears. 

And  the  hermit  said :  I  also  heard  it, 
and  before  this  I  have  heard  many  such, 
and  no  great  wonder;  for  in  all  solitude 
there  will  be  voices,  as  in  all  still  water 
there  will  be  visions. 

And  as  Ywain  heard  those  words  he  be- 
lieved them,  and  he  thought  on  still  water, 
but  found  none  in  his  remembrance :  only 
he  saw  before  him  the  picture  of  the  stream, 
wherein  he  had  but  now  been  bathing,  and 
the  course  of  it  was  all  racing  and  burbling, 
and  where  it  lay  more  still,  even  there  froth 
turned  and  drew  together  upon  the  face  of 
34 


Aladore 


it.     And  he  asked  the  hermit  boldly:  Where 
then  is  the  still  water  of  your  visions  ? 

And  the  hermit  answered:  It  is  near  at 
hand :  but  the  looking  is  longer  than  the 
way  thither. 


35 


CHAPTER    VII. 

HOW  YWAIN  LOOKED  INTO  THE  WATER  OF 
A  WELL,  AND  OF  THAT  WHICH  HE  SAW 
THEREIN. 

Then  they  rose  up  and  went  out,  and  the 
hermit  showed  Ywain  a  Httle  path  that  went 
along  under  the  cliff  and  so  into  the  wood 
beyond :  and  thereby,  he  said,  was  the  way 
to  a  dead  thorn-tree  that  stood  in  a  space 
alone,  and  under  the  thorn-tree  was  a  well- 
spring,  and  from  the  well-spring  came  a 
runnel  of  bright  water  whereby  it  might 
surely  be  found.  Then  he  put  a  wheaten 
cake  into  Ywain's  hand  and  said  to  him : 
Farewell  now  for  to-day,  and  at  supper- 
time  come  again  with  your  visions,  and  we 
will  talk  of  them  together.  But  when  you 
36 


Alad 


ore 


stand  by  the  well-spring  and  look  therein, 
then,  said  he,  be  not  weary  of  your  look- 
ing, but  return  always  and  be  always  in  hope 
until  the  sun  go  down.  For  the  visions  are 
not  quickly  to  be  seen,  as  the  common  sort 
suppose  that  they  see  all  things  which  are 
before  their  faces :  whereas  they  see,  as  it 
were,  but  the  shadows  upon  the  ground  and 
not  the  life  of  those  who  cast  them.  But 
that  which  you  seek  to  see  is  the  dealing  of 
spirits,  and  men  come  not  thereto  suddenly, 
but  by  long  time  and  loneliness. 

Then  he  returned  from  him,  and  Ywain 
took  the  path  and  went  into  the  wood,  and 
in  no  long  space  he  saw  a  great  thorn-tree 
before  him,  and  it  was  all  dead  and  without 
leaf  or  berry,  and  other  trees  there  were  none 
very  near  it,  but  only  the  cliff  that  bore  hard 
upon  it  on  the  one  side,  whereby  it  leaned 
a  little  outwards.  And  beneath  the  spread  of 
it  Ywain  saw  a  well-head  made  of  stone 
from  the  cliff,  and  it  was  of  the  height  of  a 
man's  thigh.  Also  there  was  a  step  or 
57 


Aladore 


margin  of  stone  under  it,  and  the  step  and 
the  well-head  were  both  shapen  with  six  sides, 
every  side  equal  to  every  other,  after  the 
manner  of  the  waxen  chambers  of  bees.  And 
when  Ywain  came  nearer  he  saw  that  the 
spring  rose  in  the  well  -  head  within  four 
fingers  of  the  brim,  but  it  could  not  rise 
above  the  brim  by  reason  of  a  little  sluice 
below,  that  was  made  in  the  stone  above  the 
step,  and  a  runnel  came  therefrom  of  bright 
water  and  went  into  the  wood  darkling. 

Then  he  looked  into  the  water  of  the 
spring,  and  it  was  deep  and  still,  for  the 
fountain  was  as  great  as  the  runnel  and  no 
more,  so  that  there  came  no  moving  of  the 
water  that  was  above.  But  the  shadow  of 
the  cliff  lay  yet  upon  the  well-head,  for  the 
sun  was  not  high,  and  by  that  reason  the  face 
of  the  water  was  like  the  face  of  a  mirror, 
and  all  that  Ywain  could  see  therein  was  his 
own  image,  and  with  that  the  image  of  the 
thorn-tree,  and  no  more  could  he  see  though 
he  looked  long  and  warily. 
38 


Aladore 


So  for  a  while  he  ceased  from  looking,  and 
he  went  into  the  wood  beyond  the  well,  and 
walked  softly  therein,  for  he  meant  to  come 
again  as  the  hermit  had  counselled  him.  And 
as  he  went  he  mused,  and  when  he  awoke 
out  of  his  musing  he  perceived  that  the  sun 
was  now  high  above  him.  Right  so  he 
turned  about  and  came  quickly  back  to  the 
thorn-tree,  and  looked  again  into  the  water; 
and  where  dimness  had  been  there  was  sun- 
light, and  the  water  was  clear  and  thin,  and 
in  the  depth  of  it  were  many  lights  both 
shining  and  shimmering,  for  some  of  them 
rested  in  their  glowing,  like  embers,  and 
some  rose  and  curdled,  like  smoke  of  gold, 
and  so  passed  and  came  again  continually. 
But  of  visions  Ywain  could  find  none :  only 
these  lights  could  he  see,  and  else  nothing. 
Then  again  he  left  looking  in  the  water,  and 
sat  down  under  a  green  tree,  for  it  was  past 
noon  and  hotter  than  before :  and  he  took 
his  wheaten  cake  that  the  hermit  had  given 
him  and  ate  it  sitting  there.  And  as  he 
39 


Alad 


ore 


ate  he  thought  on  these  days  that  were 
hardly  yet  three  days  since  he  left  his  former 
life,  and  they  seemed  to  him  to  be  as  it 
were  three  long  years,  that  lay  between  him 
and  the  time  that  was  before. 

Then  suddenly  he  perceived  that  with  his 
thinking  the  heat  of  the  day  had  gone  over, 
and  the  sun  was  dipped  into  the  trees  of 
the  wood  behind  him  where  he  sat.  And 
he  looked  again  towards  the  well-head  that 
stood  there  before  him,  and  a  light  was  upon 
the  stone  of  it  that  was  the  last  of  the  sun- 
light, and  afterwards  that  light  passed  away 
and  the  stone  was  left  dark.  Then  he  knew 
that  his  time  was  come,  and  he  leapt  up  and 
strode  to  the  well  and  leaned  over  it.  And 
at  the  first  he  looked  and  saw  nothing,  for  a 
darkness  seemed  to  rise  and  roll  within  it, 
like  a  cloud  in  storm :  but  after  no  long 
watching  the  darkness  rolled  away,  and  he 
saw  clearly. 

Now  that  which  he  saw  was  a  marvel,  for 
it  was  not  water,  though  it  lay  within  the 
40 


Alad 


ore 


well-head :  nor  was  it  sunlight,  for  the  sun 
was  now  far  down  behind  the  wood.  But  it 
was  by  seeming  a  piece  of  that  country,  as 
it  were  between  the  night  and  the  day :  for 
there  was  a  wood  and  a  river  with  a  high 
bank,  and  in  the  sky  above  there  was  neither 
sun  nor  moon,  but  one  only  star  of  bright 
silver.  And  as  he  looked  the  star  faded,  by 
reason  that  the  sky  was  more  light,  and  he 
saw  that  the  river  was  wide  and  shallow,  and 
over  the  width  of  it  were  stepping-stones, 
one  beyond  another  in  a  line,  like  floats  upon 
a  fish-net.  And  out  of  the  wood  came  a  boy, 
and  though  his  face  was  turned  away,  yet 
could  Ywain  tell  without  doubt  that  he  was 
in  all  things  like  the  boy  that  had  been 
with  him :  and  his  heart  beat  and  he  strained 
in  his  watching  as  one  that  fears  lest  he 
be  seen  or  heard.  But  the  boy  came  to  the 
stepping-stones  and  passed  lightly  over  them, 
and  began  to  go  upon  the  bank.  And  as 
he  went  there  came  a  bright  light  upon  the 
topmost  of  the  bank,  and  Ywain  perceived 
41 


Aladore 


that  it  was  the  light  of  sunrise,  and  it  fell 
upon  a  banner  that  was  there,  with  men 
about  it  in  armour,  and  twice  or  thrice  there 
came  sudden  glints  upon  the  armour.  And 
for  all  that  they  seemed  far  off  and  small, 
it  was  clear  to  be  seen  that  they  fought  to- 
gether in  two  companies.  And  the  boy,  when 
he  had  climbed  the  bank,  came  to  one  of  the 
companies  and  entered  into  it,  and  Ywain 
saw  him  no  more :  but  that  company  stayed 
not  where  they  were,  for  they  were  hard 
pushed  in  the  fighting,  and  gave  ground  by 
inch  and  by  inch.  And  one  man  of  them, 
that  had  no  helmet  upon  him,  came  to  the 
edge  of  the  bank,  with  a  horn  in  his  right 
hand:  and  he  set  the  horn  to  his  mouth  to 
blow  it,  and  in  that  instant  the  darkness 
came  again,  and  Ywain  saw  nothing  but  only 
the  water  in  the  well,  and  the  cloud  that 
rolled  within  the  water.  And  he  started  up, 
and  fear  and  joy  took  him  in  the  same  blood- 
heat,  and  he  turned  and  ran  quickly  by  the 
path  under  the  cliff. 

42 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

HOW    THE     HERMIT    SET    YWAIN    ON     HIS    WAY 
AND   OF   TWO    SECRETS  THAT   HE   TOLD   HIM. 

Now  it  was  the  hour  when  the  hermit  would 
be  going  to  supper,  and  thereupon  came 
Ywain  to  the  house.  And  while  they  sat 
eating  and  drinking  Ywain  told  the  hermit 
of  that  which  he  had  seen :  but  he  spoke 
warily,  for  he  told  him  nothing  of  the  boy. 

And  the  hermit  said :  The  vision  is  yours 
and  not  mine :  yet  this  much  concerning  it 
is  in  my  head  and  not  in  yours.  I  tell  you, 
therefore,  the  woodside  that  was  shown  to 
you,  and  the  stepping-stones,  and  the  bank 
beyond  the  water,  all  these  are  of  no  solitary 
vision,  but  may  be  seen  of  any  man  that  has 
a  mind  thereto. 

43 


Aladore 


Then  said  Ywain  quickly :  That  mind  have 
I ;  and  the  hermit  looked  him  in  the  face 
and  nodded  to  him  after  his  own  fashion. 
Then  he  told  him  of  the  way  to  that  place 
which  he  had  seen :  and  as  he  spoke  Ywain 
saw  the  way  plainly,  as  it  were  before  him, 
and  the  winding  and  the  turns  of  it,  and  the 
stars  above  the  trees,  and  the  setting-place  of 
the  moon.  And  the  hermit  said  how  it  was 
a  nine  hours'  yourney  for  a  man  like  himself, 
that  was  now  out  of  his  youth  and  past 
hurrying. 

And  when  he  heard  that,  Ywain  kept  silence 
for  a  moment,  and  in  the  silence  he  made  his 
reckoning,  that  it  wanted  even  now  but  eight 
hours  to  sunrise.  And  thereupon  he  stood 
up  suddenly  upon  his  feet  and  stretched  out 
his  hand  to  bid  the  hermit  farewell. 

But  the  hermit  left  him  there  standing, 
and  went  to  and  fro  and  took  bread  from 
the  table  and  put  it  in  a  wallet  and  brought 
it  to  Ywain,  and  he  took  also  a  hunting- 
knife  from  the  wall  behind  the  door,  and  a 
44 


Alad 


ore 


thong  thereto,  and  gave  it  to  him  to  belt 
about  his  middle.  But  Ywain  laid  it  first 
upon  the  table,  and  drew  the  knife  from  out 
the  sheath  and  cut  off  a  silver  button  of  his 
cloak.  And  the  knife  he  returned  into  the 
sheath  and  left  it  lying :  and  the  button  he 
gave  to  the  hermit  in  token  of  bargain  and 
sale,  lest  in  the  time  to  come  by  the  gift  of 
a  knife  their  friendship  should  be  parted,  as 
hath  happened  unto  many  and  many.  And 
then  he  belted  on  the  knife  without  fear, 
and  they  two  went  swiftly  from  the  house 
and  came  to  the  wood  and  entered  into  it. 

Now  the  moon  was  high  and  bright,  being 
near  the  full,  and  the  light  of  her  came  softly 
between  the  trees  and  made  clear  the  path. 
And  Ywain  and  the  hermit  spoke  little  in 
their  going,  for  all  the  need  that  they  had 
of  each  other:  but  their  speech  seemed  to 
them  as  it  were  forbidden,  by  reason  of  the 
shadows.  So  they  went  dumbly  for  the  most 
part,  walking  the  one  before  the  other  and 
making  great  haste,  and  when  a  full  hour 
45 


Aladore 


was  gone  they  came  to  an  open  heath  that 
was  beyond  the  wood.  And  the  hermit 
stayed  there  and  set  him  down  upon  the 
heather,  and  he  said  to  Ywain  that  he  could 
go  with  him  no  farther,  for  the  moon  was 
fast  southing  and  he  was  an  hour's  journey 
from  home.  But  this  he  said  courteously,  as 
one  that  spoke  of  necessity  and  against  his 
own  heart. 

Then  Ywain  sat  by  him,  and  suddenly  in 
his  heart  also  there  came  division,  with 
thoughts  straining  this  way  and  that  as  two 
hounds  that  strain  in  the  same  leash.  For 
though  he  was  hot  to  follow  his  desire,  yet 
he  remembered  the  companionship  of  the 
hermit  and  the  quiet  of  his  dwelling;  more- 
over, he  saw  the  man  there  beside  him  and 
none  to  take  his  place.  But  again  the  re- 
membrance of  the  boy  drew  him  more 
strongly,  and  he  chafed  till  he  should  be 
gone.  So  he  said  to  the  hermit :  Let  me 
go  now,  for  even  as  they  say  of  death,  the 
longer  the  colder,  so  it  is  with  the  parting 
46 


Alad 


ore 


of  friends.  But  I  know  also  that  I  go  too 
soon,  for  you  have  perceived  of  me  more 
than  ever  I  told  you,  and  of  a  certainty  with 
your  counsel  I  might  have  feathered  my  shafts. 
And  though  this  may  not  be,  yet  tell  me 
now,  I  pray  you,  in  few  words,  of  the  likeli- 
hood of  this  my  journey,  how  it  shall  pros- 
per or  in  what  danger  it  shall  come,  that  I 
may  thank  you  and  fare  the  better. 

But  the  hermit  said:  In  this  you  are 
astray:  for  that  which  a  man  may  learn  in 
solitude  is  not  knowledge  but  wisdom,  and 
wisdom  is  not  of  this  or  that,  but  of  the 
nature  of  things.  So  now  concerning  you,  I 
know  not  how  you  shall  fare,  but  I  know  of 
that  which  you  may  become,  and  in  some 
part  I  know  the  way  thereto.  Follow  there- 
fore your  desire,  for  so  only  can  you  live 
and  be  alive,  and  this  is  the  first  secret.  But 
the  second  is  this,  that  you  serve  another, 
for  so  only  can  you  put  away  your  enemy 
that  was  born  with  you.  And  truth  it  is 
that  if  a  man  overtake  his  desire  and  have 
47 


Aladore 


not  done  away  his  enemy,  it  had  been  better 
for  him  that  he  had  died  first,  for  he  shall 
never  have  peace. 

And  Ywain  heard  the  words  and  marked 
them,  for  they  were  spoken  deeply.  But  what 
the  meaning  of  them  should  be,  that  he  knew 
not  yet,  for  his  mind  was  all  a-bubble  with 
the  thoughts  of  his  journey  and  of  the  boy, 
aud  of  the  fighting  that  he  had  seen  in  the 
vision.  And  the  hermit  perceived  that  he 
was  distraught  and  in  haste  to  be  gone :  and 
he  stood  up  and  bade  him  good-speed.  But 
first  he  took  a  promise  of  him  that  he  would 
come  again,  and  then  he  spoke  the  last  words 
and  turned  away  into  the  wood. 

And  with  that  Ywain's  heart  fell,  and  his 
strength  was  slackened,  and  he  laid  his  hand 
to  the  stem  of  a  pine-tree  and  leaned  upon 
it,  that  he  might  keep  watch  upon  the  hermit 
until  he  should  be  wholly  gone  from  him. 
And  at  the  first  he  saw  him  as  a  living  man, 
but  afterwards  as  a  shadow  without  form  or 
substance ;  for  that  which  he  saw  was  ever 
48 


Aladorc 


moving  through  the  forest  and  the  moonlight, 
as  a  fish  is  seen  dimly  in  green  water,  going 
among  the  reeds.  And  at  the  last  he  saw 
him  not  at  all,  for  the  very  shadow  of  him 
was  wholly  mingled  with  the  night. 


49 


CHAPTER    IX. 

OF  ywain's  journey  by  night,  and  how  he 

WAS   BROUGHT   BY  A   LADY  TO   THE   PLACE 
OF   HIS  VISION,   AND    SO   LEFT   HER. 

So  Ywain  turned  him  from  his  watching :  and 
as  he  turned  him  he  drew  his  breath  again, 
and  his  heart  rose  and  he  took  the  path 
strongly  among  the  heather.  And  he  went 
therein  a  good  two  hour  or  more,  until  he 
saw  upon  his  left  side  how  the  land  rose  up 
ridgewise  like  the  back  of  a  great  hog:  and 
for  all  that  it  was  night,  yet  he  saw  the  top 
of  the  ridge  clearly,  as  it  were  a  black  line 
that  ran  along  the  sky.  And  thereover  stood 
the  moon  all  broad  and  yellow,  and  he  per- 
ceived that  this  was  the  place  of  her  setting, 
as  the  hermit  had  shown  it  to  him  by  his 
50 


Aladore 


counsel.  Then  he  knew  that  it  was  hard  on 
midnight,  and  he  had  great  gladness  because 
that  he  had  come  so  far  on  his  way  and  no 
time  lost.  And  he  left  the  heath  and  took 
a  good  road  that  was  below  the  ridge,  and 
for  a  little  space  the  moon  hung  above  him 
as  it  were  a  great  lantern  of  yellow  horn. 
And  then  she  sank  behind  the  ridge,  and  in 
no  long  time  afterwards  the  land  was  dark. 

Nevertheless  he  ceased  not  to  go  swiftly 
and  without  stumbling,  for  the  stars  were 
now  brighter  before  him,  and  the  road  under 
his  feet  was  smooth  and  white  with  dust,  so 
that  he  had  no  need  to  walk  warily.  And 
as  he  went  he  remembered  all  the  words  of 
the  hermit,  and  he  turned  them  over  in  his 
mind  as  a  man  turns  over  his  money  upon 
his  hand:  for  it  may  chance  that  he  knows 
not  yet  how  much  it  is,  or  in  what  manner 
it  may  serve  him.  Even  so  Ywain  considered 
the  words  of  the  hermit,  and  namely  the  two 
secrets:  whereof  one  was  plain  to  his  under- 
standing and  one  was  dark.  For  he  was  of 
51 


Aladore 


himself  fully  minded  to  follow  his  desire ;  but 
to  serve  another  was  no  such  matter,  seeing 
that  in  his  old  life  he  had  served  both  lords 
and  over-lords,  and  for  his  wages  had  little 
but  weariness.  And  in  this  wise  he  reasoned 
hotly  as  he  went,  speaking  as  it  might  have 
been  to  the  hermit  himself  there  present. 

Then  upon  the  instant  his  sight  went  from 
him,  as  it  happens  many  times  to  those  that 
reason  hotly.  And  he  saw  no  more  the  road 
beneath  him  nor  the  stars  above,  but  by  seem- 
ing he  came  again  into  the  house  in  the  rock, 
and  there  was  the  hermit  sitting  over  against 
him,  and  his  eyes  shining  in  the  twilight. 
And  Ywain  said  to  the  hermit :  What  is  this 
secret  that  you  have  told  me,  and  how  can 
a  man  both  follow  his  desire  and  also  serve 
another  ?  For  by  his  desire  he  would  be  free, 
but  service  is  to  freedom  as  water  upon  fire. 
And  the  semblance  of  the  hermit  looked  at 
him  and  nodded  kindly,  but  he  answered 
nothing  to  Ywain's  questioning,  save  that  he 
spoke  again  the  former  words. 
52 


Aladore 


Then  because  of  the  hermit's  voice  and  the 
deepness  of  it  and  the  quiet  of  his  house,  the 
tangle  in  Ywain's  heart  was  untwisted  and 
he  had  no  more  lust  of  reasoning.  And  he 
came  back  as  it  were  from  another  place,  and 
perceived  that  he  had  been  a  long  time  absent, 
for  the  way  was  changed  beneath  his  feet,  and 
from  being  a  high-road  was  become  a  green 
ox-drove,  and  the  stars  in  the  sky  were  few 
and  pale. 

Then  Ywain  saw  that  the  night  was  far 
gone,  and  fear  came  suddenly  upon  him  lest 
in  his  dreaming  he  should  have  wandered 
aside  from  the  right  way.  And  he  stood  still 
to  peer  about  him,  but  he  could  see  nothing 
save  only  the  ox-drove  and  a  little  bank  that 
was  the  border  of  it,  and  the  field  beyond 
the  border.  But  while  he  stood  still  there 
came  the  sound  of  a  cock  crowing :  and  in 
the  same  instant  he  was  aware  of  a  tower 
that  lay  hard  by,  and  it  lay  in  the  field  all 
bare  and  open  where  he  had  looked  before 
and  had  seen  nothing,  until  the  crowing  of  the 
53 


Aladore 


cock.  But  now  he  could  see  it  without  peer- 
ing, and  how  it  stood  on  a  little  mound  in 
the  field,  with  a  pool  beside  it  and  a  great 
rowan-tree  thereby. 

Then  he  made  to  go  to  the  tower,  and 
when  he  came  to  the  bank  to  pass  out  of  the 
ox-drove  he  found  a  gate  therein :  and  he 
looked  over  the  gate  and  saw  how  there  was  a 
door  opened  in  the  tower,  and  a  woman  that 
came  out  from  it,  and  she  began  to  go  towards 
him  over  the  field.  So  he  passed  through  the 
gate  and  went  out  to  meet  her.  And  as  he 
went  he  perceived  that  she  was  some  great 
one,  for  she  was  richly  arrayed  in  colours  all 
of  blue,  and  her  raiment  was  close  about  her 
as  the  sheath  is  about  a  flower.  Also  she 
wore  a  veil  and  not  a  hood,  and  the  veil  was 
upon  her  head  only  and  not  upon  her  face, 
and  it  was  light  and  cloudy  like  smoke  in 
6tiil  air. 

And  when  they  two  drew  together  the  lady 
bade  Ywain  good-morrow,  and  great  wonder 
took  hold  upon  him  :  for  her  voice  came  to 
54 


Aladore 


him  as  it  had  been  out  of  old  memory,  and 
whereas  in  her  outward  seeming  there  was 
nothing  that  was  not  strange  to  him,  yet  by 
her  speaking  he  was  persuaded  heartily  that 
he  had  known  her  all  the  years  of  his  life. 
Then  she  asked  him  whither  he  went,  and  he 
began  to  tell  her  of  the  place  of  the  stepping- 
stones  and  of  the  fighting  beyond  the  water. 
And  she  heard  him  courteously,  but  while  he 
spoke  she  ceased  not  to  go  forward,  so  that  in 
short  time  they  came  again  to  the  bank  and 
the  ox-drove. 

And  Ywain  looked  before  him  in  the  half- 
light,  and  again  he  was  amazed :  for  the  gate 
was  there  by  which  he  had  passed  out,  and 
beside  it  were  two  horses,  a  white  and  a 
black,  and  by  their  bridle-reins  they  were 
tethered  to  this  post  and  to  that.  Then  the 
lady  came  to  the  white  horse,  and  she  laid  her 
hand  upon  the  mane  of  him,  and  her  one  foot 
she  gave  into  Ywain's  hand  and  so  went  to 
saddle  and  rode  fast  away.  And  Ywain  took 
the  black  horse  and  followed  hard  after  her : 
55 


Aladore 


and  they  rode  long  and  the  sky  lightened 
towards  dawn,  and  they  went  ever  faster  and 
faster,  till  the  wind  rushed  by  their  faces  as  a 
stream  rushes  by  the  stakes  of  a  weir. 

So  they  came  to  a  wood  and  coasted  it,  for 
the  trees  of  it  were  set  so  thick  together  that 
no  horse  might  go  therein  :  also  the  land  fell 
sheer  and  sudden  within  it.  And  in  a  five 
furlongs  more  the  lady  stayed  her  galloping, 
and  she  leapt  down  and  cast  away  her  bridle- 
rein  and  turned  her  into  the  wood.  And 
Ywain  followed  after  her,  and  she  caught  him 
by  the  hand,  and  they  two  ran  down  the  wood 
together  with  pain  and  stumbling.  And  they 
came  to  the  edge  of  the  wood,  and  the  land 
there  was  level,  and  Ywain  looked  out  between 
the  trees  and  saw  the  place  of  his  vision,  for 
there  before  him  was  a  meadow  and  a  broad 
water  with  stepping-stones,  and  beyond  the 
water  was  a  bank.  And  upon  the  top  of  the 
bank  there  went  a  banner,  with  men  fighting 
about  it :  but  child  there  was  none  to  see, 
neither  upon  the  stones  neither  upon  the  bank. 
56 


Aladore 


Then  Ywain  raged  within  himself  to  go 
forward,  but  first  he  turned  him  of  his 
courtesy  to  give  thanks  to  the  lady,  for  he 
said  that  without  help  of  her  he  had  never 
come  there :  whereby  he  was  wholly  bounden 
to  her,  if  that  she  would  command  him  in 
anything.  And  she  looked  him  in  the  eyes 
and  said  to  him :  Yea,  sir,  are  you  so 
bounden  ?  Then  have  I  found  a  friend  to 
my  need:  for  I  have  a  hundred  knights  that 
are  sworn  of  my  allegiance,  yet  there  is  none 
of  them  that  serveth  not  his  own  desire  before 
mine. 

Then  despair  came  upon  Ywain,  as  upon  a 
wild  thing  that  is  trapped,  and  he  struggled 
blindly  and  saw  no  way  out.  And  in  his 
struggling  he  heard  the  sound  of  a  horn  that 
was  blown  behind  him,  and  he  turned  about 
and  perceived  him  that  blew  it  standing  upon 
the  height  of  the  bank.  And  at  the  blare  of 
that  horn  all  the  blood  of  his  body  was  made 
fire,  and  he  left  the  lady  alone  and  went 
furiously  up  to  go  into  the  battle. 
57 


CHAPTER  X. 

OF  THE  LADY  AITHNE,  AND  OF  THE  GIFTS 
THAT  SHE  HAD  FROM  HER  BIRTH. 

Now  leave  we  Ywain  to  his  fighting  and  turn 
we  to  the  lady,  that  was  there  heavily  cast 
down  to  be  so  left  and  benothinged.  For  she 
was  of  all  earthly  women  the  most  beautiful 
and  the  wisest  in  magic :  yet  she  had  great 
need  of  such  as  would  serve  her  truly,  for  her 
life  was  full  of  pain  and  perplexity,  being 
divided  in  a  strange  manner  between  two 
realms.  And  this  came  of  no  sudden  hap, 
but  it  fortuned  so  to  her  from  her  birth,  and 
was  according  unto  her  nature,  as  I  shall 
show  you. 

First  then,  she  was  of  a  high  lineage  and 
descended  out  of  faery  :  for  her  father  was  Sir 
SB 


Alad 


ore 


Ogier,  Lord  of  Kerioc,  that  lies  over  beside 
Broceliande,  and  her  mother  was  called  the 
Lady  Ailinn  of  Ireland,  and  she  came  of  the 
kindred  of  Fedelm  of  the  Sidhe,  that  was 
called  Fedelm  of  the  Nine  Shapes,  by  reason 
that  she  could  take  on  her  nine  shapes,  and 
each  more  beautiful  than  other.  Therefore 
the  Lady  Ailinn  would  have  called  her 
daughter  Fedelma,  but  Sir  Ogier  named  her 
with  the  name  of  Aithne,  and  she  was  called 
thereby  all  her  life-days,  as  for  her  earthly 
name  :  but  of  her  elfin  nature  she  had  other 
names,  as  was  but  reason,  and  in  especial  one 
name  she  had  that  none  ever  knew  but  Ywain 
only.  So  of  that  name  I  shall  make  no  more 
matter. 

Now  when  the  Lady  Ailinn  had  been  some 
while  wedded,  and  was  looking  for  her  child 
to  be  born  presently,  upon  a  night  she  lay 
abed  in  the  castle  of  Kerioc  :  and  midnight 
was  two  hours  past  and  there  was  none  waking 
but  that  lady  alone.  And  in  her  chamber  was 
a  fire  of  wood  burning,  for  the  year  was  still 
59 


Aladore 


cold  and  hard  :  and  the  fire  was  bright  and 
cast  upon  the  wall  of  the  chamber  both  light 
and  shadow.  And  Ailinn  lay  so  upon  her  bed 
that  she  saw  not  the  window,  but  the  wall 
only,  and  she  perceived  that  the  shadow  upon 
it  was  the  shadow  of  her  nurse,  that  was  fallen 
asleep  beside  the  hearthstone. 

Nevertheless  though  the  nurse  slept,  yet  were 
there  voices  in  the  chamber,  as  of  two  women 
beside  the  fire  :  and  Ailinn  knew  well  that 
they  were  fays,  or  women  of  the  Sidhe, 
seeing  that  there  were  upon  the  wall  no 
shadows  of  them  but  only  of  the  nurse.  So 
she  lay  still  to  hearken  what  they  would  say. 
And  one  said:  The  child  shall  be  a  woman, 
and  I  give  her  the  gifts  of  womanhood  :  for  her 
skin  shall  be  white  as  the  swans  of  Aengus, 
and  her  eyes  grey  like  the  dawn,  and  the  colour 
of  her  cheeks  soft  like  the  sunset.  And  she 
shall  be  loved  by  a  hundred  knights  and  one, 
and  her  love  shall  be  to  her  true  lover  both 
meat  and  madness,  like  the  wild  honey  of 
Arroy:  and  so  is  my  giving  done.  And  the 
60 


Aladore 


other  said :  The  child  shall  be  a  fay,  and  I 
give  her  the  gifts  of  faery :  for  she  shall  hold 
of  me  the  realm  of  Aladore,  that  was  the 
Rhymer's  heritage  :  and  of  her  own  magic  she 
shall  come  thereto  and  therefrom,  all  her  days. 
And  so  is  my  giving  done. 

Then  the  two  voices  fell  silent,  and  Ailinn 
turned  her  upon  her  bed  that  she  might 
see  after  what  likeness  they  were  that  had 
spoken.  And  she  saw  no  one  by  the  fire 
save  the  nurse  only.  But  in  that  moment 
came  the  moon,  going  downwards  to  the 
sea,  and  a  beam  of  her  shining  entered 
into  the  chamber  and  lay  upon  the  floor, 
and  so  moved  across  the  floor  and  came 
to  the  hearthstone.  And  in  that  beam 
Ailinn  saw  plainly  how  there  stood  two 
shapes  of  women  between  the  bedside  and 
the  hearth.  And  they  were  grey  shapes 
and  thin  as  air,  for  she  saw  behind  them 
the  fire  burning  and  the  embers  of  it,  but 
she  saw  it  some  deal  faint,  as  it  were 
behind  two  wisps  of  smoke. 
6i 


Alad 


ore 


Then  those  two  fays  drew  near  to  her 
and  stood  by  the  bedside,  and  the  one 
of  them  touched  her  head  and  the  other 
touched  her  hand.  And  at  the  touch  of 
them  her  blood  was  made  heavy,  and  she 
slept  deep,  beyond  voice  or  vision.  And  in 
the  morning  when  she  awoke  she  found  in 
her  hand  a  golden  key,  and  upon  her  head 
she  found  also  a  golden  comb  that  she 
knew  not :  and  by  the  tokens  of  the  key 
and  the  comb  she  had  certainty  of  that 
which  she  had  heard  and  seen.  But  of 
the  meaning  thereof  she  held  great  debate 
with  herself  and  might  not  be  satisfied. 
And  she  thought  to  take  counsel  of  her 
kindred,  when  she  should  come  again  into 
Ireland:  but  to  Sir  Ogier,  that  was  her 
husband,  she  said  nothing  of  the  matter, 
for  he  was  a  man  that  had  no  dreams, 
neither  by  night,  neither  by  day. 

Then  in  short  space  thereafter  the  child 
was  born,  that  was  called  Aithne,  and  she 
was  heir  to  her  father  and  her  mother  both, 
62 


Alad 


ore 


for  other  child  they  had  none,  man  nor 
maid,  but  this  one  only.  And  she  was  a 
wise  child  and  a  beautiful,  but  always  she 
made  for  herself  a  way  and  walked  in  it. 
And  when  she  was  come  to  seven  year,  and 
it  was  the  day  of  her  birth,  she  played  in 
the  Castle  of  Kerioc  all  such  games  as  she 
would.  And  at  the  last  she  came  into  her 
mother's  chamber  and  there  found  a  little 
chest,  and  opened  it,  and  in  the  chest  was 
a  comb  of  gold  and  a  key  of  the  same. 
And  the  key  she  left  there  lying,  but  the 
comb  she  laid  into  her  hair,  and  stood 
before  a  mirror  and  preened  herself.  Then 
came  her  mother  suddenly  and  took  the 
comb  from  her,  and  gave  her  instead  the 
key  of  gold,  to  make  her  a  game  therewith. 
And  right  so  the  child  was  gone  from  the 
place,  and  she  was  seen  no  more  in  Kerioc 
for  the  space  of  three  hours.  Then  before 
night  she  came  again  with  the  like  swift- 
ness, and  she  was  no  whit  weary  or  hungry 
or  afeared,  but  she  greeted  her  mother 
63 


Aladore 


dearly  as  one  that  had  been  long  gone 
from  her  into  a  far  country.  And  after- 
wards the  child  said  how  that  she  had  been 
in  Aladore,  and  the  time  that  she  had  been 
there  was  by  her  deeming  three  years,  for 
she  said  firmly  that  she  had  seen  the  cow- 
slips there  three  several  times,  and  three 
times  had  gathered  them  all  fresh  in  their 
springing.  And  thereat  her  father  laughed 
out,  as  a  man  will  laugh  that  hath  the 
better  knowledge:  but  the  Lady  Ailinn  per- 
ceived that  she  spoke  truth.  And  as  the 
child  had  said,  so  it  was  with  her  many 
times  thereafter :  for  she  came  and  went  by 
her  own  magic,  and  that  was  by  the  gift 
that  she  had  of  faery. 


64 


CHAPTER     XL 

HOW  THE  LADY  AILINN  DEPARTED  OUT  OF 
THIS  LIFE  AND  OF  THE  COUNSEL  THAT 
SHE   GAVE   TO    HER   DAUGHTER  AITHNE. 

Then  with  the  years  so  passing  the  time 
came  that  Aithne  was  a  damsel  grown,  and 
many  knights  sought  her  love  and  many 
asked  to  have  her  in  marriage.  And  it 
happened  at  this  time  that  her  mother,  the 
Lady  Ailinn,  was  taken  with  sickness,  and 
though  her  malady  was  but  light  to  the 
deeming  of  such  as  saw  her  and  heard  her 
speak  thereof,  yet  inwardly  she  knew  that 
the  end  of  it  was  to  be  by  death  only. 

So  upon  a  day  she  lay  in  her  chamber  in 
the  Castle  of  Kerioc,   and   Aithne   sat   there 
beside  her  and   they  talked  together   of  this 
E  65 


Aladore 


and  of  that.  And  at  the  last  the  Lady 
Ailinn  ceased  from  talking,  and  then  she 
spoke  to  Aithne  again  and  said :  My 
daughter,  I  would  not  have  you  parted  from 
me  by  blindness,  as  others  are  parted  from 
me :  for  they  deem  that  in  the  Spring  I 
shall  be  healed  of  this  my  malady,  whereas 
I  know  inwardly  that  before  the  thorn  is 
hoar  I  must  be  otherwhere.  And  of  that, 
beloved,  I  say  no  more;  for  you  too  shall 
one  day  pass  out  by  this  gate,  and  I  bid 
you  to  the  Tryst  after  Death.  But  as  for 
your  earthly  life  I  have  a  counsel  for  you : 
that  you  consider  well  to  whom  you  give 
yourself;  seeing  that  a  woman  should  not 
love  but  after  her  own  kind,  and  for  one 
such  as  you  are  this  may  well  be  a  hard 
thing  to  compass.  For  the  half  of  your 
heart  is  with  the  faery,  and  the  half  of 
your  days  you  live  in  a  land  that  is  no 
land  of  men.  And  of  that  land  I  also  have 
had  knowledge,  for  I  was  somewhile  there 
in  my  maidenhood :  and  though  I  came 
66 


Aladore 


never  there  again,  yet  have  I  remembered 
it  in  my  dreams,  and  I  know  this,  that  few 
men  find  the  way  thereto.  Yet  will  a 
maiden  think,  as  I  also  thought,  to  take  a 
man  for  lord  and  lover  and  to  bring  him  in 
thither:  but  the  magic  of  it  is  not  so,  for 
every  man  must  win  there  by  his  own  de- 
sire. Choose  then  whom  you  will,  as  of 
your  sovranty :  but  if  it  may  be,  my  daughter, 
before  your  choice  be  uttered,  come  you  up 
hither  into  this  that  was  my  chamber,  wherein 
also  you  were  born,  and  remember  me,  and 
how  that  I  spoke  with  you  of  that  realm 
that  is  your  heritage.  So  shall  your  choice 
be  my  choice,  for  good  fortune  or  for  ill, 
and  we  two  shall  not  be  parted. 

Then  Aithne  when  she  heard  those  words 
held  her  mother  fast  by  the  hand  and 
bowed  her  head  down  upon  the  pillow  beside 
her :  and  she  wept  bitterly,  for  the  heart  of 
youth  cannot  bear  to  hear  speak  of  death 
and  departing.  And  it  is  no  marve.,  seeing 
that  the  darkness  is  great  and  the  Tryst  is 
67 


Aladore 


very  far  off.  So  it  was  with  Aithne  at  her 
mother's  departing;  for  in  no  long  time 
afterwards  that  lady's  life  failed  her,  as  in 
this  world,  and  she  was  gone.  But  Sir 
Ogier  for  all  his  grief  was  still  the  more 
minded  to  make  for  his  daughter  some 
marriage  of  good  counsel :  for  he  held 
women  to  be  as  it  were  ships,  that  may 
fetch  and  carry  well  enough,  but  without 
a  master  they  are  blown  about  and  go  no 
whither. 

Now  came  again  those  knights  of  whom  I 
spoke  before :  and  they  were  by  number  a 
hundred  from  the  first  to  the  last.  And 
they  loved  her  all  of  them,  not  for  her 
lands  only,  but  each  with  such  love  as  he 
had :  for  her  beauty  some,  and  some  for  her 
sweet  voice,  for  oftentimes  when  she  spoke 
and  looked  the  blood  would  dance  in  them 
that  heard  her.  And  many  there  were 
that  came  from  far  countries,  whereof  some 
sought  her  for  the  praise  that  went  abroad 
of  her,  even  to  the  out  isles,  and  some  for 
68 


Aladore 


the  renown  of  her  father  Sir  Ogier;  for  he 
was  a  great  knight  under  shield,  and  a 
hunter  that  never  knew  weariness,  and 
thereby  he  came  quickly  to  his  end,  for  he 
took  the  river  with  a  horse  that  was  wholly 
spent. 

So  Aithne  was  left  alone,  and  her  loneli- 
ness was  great:  for  always  in  her  castle  of 
Kerioc  she  saw  the  faces  of  them  that  were 
otherwhere,  and  at  night  she  had  no  peace 
for  the  crying  of  the  sea-birds.  And  many 
times  she  made  escape  into  her  realm  of 
Aladore :  but  there  also  was  loneliness,  for 
she  had  found  as  yet  no  soul  to  dwell  with 
her.  I  speak  not  of  fays,  for  of  them  there 
was  great  plenty:  but  they  have  no  com- 
fort in  them,  for  they  are  born  of  moon- 
light and  not  of  blood  and  breath.  There- 
fore also  they  are  from  the  beginning 
without  transgression,  and  they  know  not 
pain  or  memory,  neither  do  they  fear  or 
hope  at  all.  And  of  these  Aithne  took  no 
count,  save  that  she  dwelt  often  with  them 
69 


Aladore 


and  was  their  lady  in  Aladore.  But  of  the 
knights  that  were  her  earthly  servants  she 
took  much  pleasure  and  perplexity :  and  to 
one  or  another  of  them  she  came  near  to 
have  yielded  her. 

Yet  when  the  time  came,  at  every  time 
she  held  aback:  for  she  remembered  her 
mother  the  Lady  Ailinn  and  the  promise 
that  she  made  to  her  at  her  departing, 
and  always  when  she  thought  of  her  words 
she  saw  that  they  were  true.  And  there- 
with she  remembered  a  saying  of  her  father, 
and  she  saw  that  this  also  was  true,  as  for 
the  most  part :  for  he  said  of  men  and 
women  that  though  they  be  born  of  one 
blood  yet  they  are  ever  strangers  each  to 
other,  both  by  kind  and  by  custom,  and 
though  they  sit  at  one  board  and  lie  under 
one  blanket,  yet  they  dwell  apart  all  their  life- 
days.  But  Aithne  hated  that  saying  in  her 
heart,  and  in  her  hope  she  bettered  it. 


70 


CHAPTER    XII. 

OF  THE  WARRING  OF  TWO  COMPANIES,  AND 
HOW  YWAIN  DID  BATTLE  FOR  THE  ONE 
OF  THEM   AGAINST  THE   OTHER. 

Mark  now  that  which  I  tell  you  concerning 
the  Lady  Aithne:  for  after  the  manner  of 
minstrels  I  tell  you  both  that  which  she 
knew  herself  and  that  which  she  knew  not. 
First  then  she  knew  not,  for  all  her  magic, 
that  this  was  a  man  of  a  strange  fortune,  and 
as  it  were  born  again  by  the  casting  away 
of  his  possessions :  nor  she  knew  not  yet 
what  her  spirit  and  his  spirit  had  perceived 
at  first  sight,  each  of  other.  But  she  knew 
in  her  heart  darkly  that  he  was  either  boon 
or  bane  to  her,  for  of  his  coming  she  had 
been  warned  without  words,  as  it  will  hap- 
71 


Alad 


ore 


pen  to  those  that  have  the  gift :  and  this 
also  darkly,  that  his  looking  and  his  speak- 
ing were  both  to  her  mind,  whereby  she 
was  the  more  cast  down  at  his  breaking 
from  her.  And  again  she  knew  not  where- 
fore he  should  wish  to  go,  yet  she  could 
not  choose  but  remember  that  he  seemed  to 
have  some  great  purpose  in  his  going;  and 
upon  a  man's  face  such  purpose  will  show 
like  beauty,  so  that  even  out  of  her  pain 
there  grew  a  sweetness,  as  fruit  grows  out 
of  the  wounding  of  a  tree. 

But  Ywain  thought  not  at  all  of  her, 
neither  darkly  nor  clearly,  for  he  saw  the 
banner  upon  the  top  of  the  bank  and 
under  it  the  two  companies  fighting.  And 
they  fought  in  a  green  ground  before  the 
gate  of  a  city:  and  they  that  fought  to 
keep  the  city  were  all  of  a  likeness,  armed 
every  one  in  black  armour,  and  their  banner 
was  of  black  with  a  golden  tower  upon  it. 
But  they  that  strove  against  them  were 
furnished  scantily  and  piecemeal,  no  two 
72 


Aladore 


alike,  save  that  every  man  of  them  had  a 
sword  in  his  hand,  and  upon  his  body  a 
badge  of  a  silver  scutcheon  v^ith  an  eagle 
displayed  therein,  and  though  the  badges 
were  of  one  fashion  yet  they  were  of  diverse 
colours. 

Now  when  Ywain  came  to  the  top  of 
the  bank  he  saw  the  companies,  and  the  city 
some  deal  beyond  them,  and  he  looked  about 
him  to  see  the  boy,  and  saw  nothing  of  him. 
But  hard  by  there  was  a  man  there  stand- 
ing, the  same  that  had  blown  upon  the  horn, 
and  beside  his  feet  upon  the  grass  lay  two 
naked  swords.  And  as  Ywain  looked  towards 
him  he  threw  down  his  horn  and  took  up 
the  two  swords,  and  the  one  of  them  he 
gave  into  Ywain's  hand,  and  the  other  he 
took  by  the  hilt,  and  without  a  word  said 
they  two  began  running  towards  the  banner, 
for  it  was  some  way  from  the  bank  thereto. 
And  when  they  were  come  there  where  the 
banner  was,  Ywain  saw  that  the  companies 
had  ceased  from  fighting  and  were  standing 
73 


Aladore 


apart :  and  they  were  glad  to  do  so,  as  he 
guessed,  by  reason  that  the  men  of  the  Tower 
were  weary  and  fordone  with  the  burden  of 
their  armour,  and  as  for  the  men  of  the 
Eagle  they  were  beaten  back,  and  there 
were  many  of  them  wounded  and  some 
dead  men.  But  the  battle  in  this  manner 
standing  still,  there  came  forth  a  man  of  the 
Tower  armed  at  all  points,  and  he  mocked 
the  men  of  the  Eagle  for  striplings  and  fools, 
and  defied  them  to  fight  with  him,  man  to 
man  and  one  down  another  to  come  on. 

Then  when  Ywain  heard  those  proud  words 
it  seemed  to  him  as  though  the  quarrel  were 
his  own  quarrel  and  the  scorn  the  scorn  of 
his  proper  enemy :  for  he  looked  upon  the 
company  of  the  Eagle  and  saw  them  as 
men,  enduring  with  weariness  and  pain,  but 
those  of  the  Tower  he  saw  not  as  human 
flesh  but  as  ironwork  of  artificers,  multiplied 
according  to  one  pattern,  and  without  blood 
or  mercy  in  them :  and  he  hated  them  and 
the  green  earth  went  red  before  his  eyes. 
74 


Aladore 


Then  again  his  blood  changed,  and  his  heart 
became  hard  and  smooth  and  cool  like  the 
heart  of  oak :  and  he  stooped  slowly  and 
took  from  a  dead  man  the  badge  that  he 
had  worn,  and  made  it  fast  upon  him,  and 
he  threw  down  his  cloak  and  in  his  left 
hand  he  took  the  knife  that  the  hermit 
had  given  him,  and  in  his  right  hand  the 
sword.  And  he  stepped  forward  until  he 
came  within  five  paces  of  his  enemy,  and 
the  two  companies  drew  near  to  watch  the 
fighting,  and  the  man  of  the  Tower  let 
close  his  visor  and  came  on.  And  Ywain 
looked  at  him  and  saw  how  he  moved  him 
as  one  that  bears  a  great  weight  and  under- 
props it  warily  lest  it  fall  over  on  this  side 
or  on  that :  and  he  remembered  to  have 
moved  himself  in  like  manner  at  end  of 
day,  when  he  was  outwearied  in  the  wars. 
And  he  laughed  in  his  heart  at  the  remem- 
brance, for  it  seemed  to  him  of  good  counsel. 
And  in  that  moment  he  saw  his  enemy  make 
at  him  to  strike,  and  he  caught  the  stroke 
75 


Aladore 


upon  his  sword  and  put  it  by,  and  ran  in 
upon  him  as  dog  runs  in  upon  dog,  and 
caught  him  by  the  throat  and  shook  him 
one  way  with  his  arms  and  another  way 
with  his  knee,  and  threw  him  down  upon 
the  ground. 

Then  the  man  of  the  Tower  rolled  heavily 
in  his  armour,  that  he  might  come  to  his 
knees  and  rise  again,  but  in  his  rolling 
Ywain  fell  upon  him  and  pressed  him  down, 
so  that  he  grubbled  in  the  earth  with  his 
visor  as  a  swine  grubbles  with  his  snout. 
And  Ywain  held  him  so  and  leaned  upon 
him :  and  he  struggled  with  his  legs  a  little, 
but  no  long  time,  for  his  breath  left  him. 
Then  Ywain  found  the  lace  of  his  helm, 
and  with  the  hermit's  knife  he  cut  it,  to 
recover  him :  and  in  the  cutting  of  it  he 
was  aware  of  a  great  shouting  and  ramping 
all  about  him ;  and  he  looked  up  and  saw 
that  the  men  of  the  Eagle  had  run  in  upon 
those  of  the  Tower  even  as  he  had  run  in 
upon  his  man/and  had  toppled  them  in  like 
76 


Aladore 


manner,  and  they  were  prising  them  open 
with  their  swords,  whereby  in  short  space 
they  had  them  all  unharnessed  and  disarmed. 
Then  Ywain  got  him  to  his  feet,  and  the 
rest  in  like  wise :  and  they  of  the  Eagle 
gave  the  banner  into  Ywain's  hands  and  set 
him  in  the  forefront,  and  they  marshalled 
the  men  of  the  Tower  as  beaten  men  behind 
him,  and  so  set  forth  with  shouting  towards 
the  city. 


71 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

HOW   YWAIN   WAS    BROUGHT   INTO   THE   CITY 
OF   PALADORE. 

Well  may  you  imagine  that  Ywain  was 
astonished  as  he  went,  for  it  came  upon 
him  coldly  that  he  knew  not  what  he  had 
done,  nor  wherefore,  and  moreover  he  saw 
that  he  had  not  yet  come  to  the  end  of  the 
matter.  And  he  would  willingly  have  ques- 
tioned those  that  went  with  him,  but  they 
were  every  man  of  them  a -bawling  and 
a-singing,  and  when  he  spoke  to  them  they 
answered  nothing  to  the  purpose,  but  con- 
tinued praising  him  and  giving  him  joy.  And 
so  with  great  tumult  they  came  before  the 
gate  of  the  city,  and  there  was  Ywain  yet 
more  astonished,  for  he  had  thought  to  find 
78 


Aladore 


it  well  shut  and  defended.  But  now  the 
barriers  were  down  and  the  gate  was  open, 
and  upon  the  gatehouse  and  upon  the  walls 
there  stood  a  multitude  of  people  past  count- 
ing, and  they  cried :  An  Eagle !  an  Eagle ! 
and  shouted  for  joy  every  man  louder  than 
another. 

Then  Ywain  and  they  that  were  with  him 
entered  the  gateway  and  passed  through  it, 
and  began  to  go  into  the  city.  And  certain 
of  the  townsfolk  took  the  banner  from  be- 
tween Ywain's  hands  and  carried  it  before 
him ;  and  others  of  them  pressed  upon  the 
beaten  men  of  the  Tower  and  jeered  at  them 
by  their  names  and  cast  dust  upon  their 
heads :  and  so  they  came  all  together  to  the 
market-place,  which  was  great  and  square, 
but  the  crowd  of  them  filled  it  from  side  to 
side  and  from  end  to  end,  and  stood  therein 
as  close  as  standing  barley. 

Now  on  one  side  of  the  market-place  was 
a  high  hall,  with  steps  thereto ;  and  those 
that  led  Ywain  brought  him  to  the  steps  and 
79 


Aladore 


made  him  stand  there  upon  a  width  of  stone 
where  he  could  be  seen  of  all,  and  the  multi- 
tude threw  up  their  hands  and  waved  them 
at  him,  crying  that  he  should  speak  to  them. 
And  this  he  would  have  done  willingly,  as 
one  not  unused  to  speak  before  others,  but 
what  he  should  find  to  say  to  these  men, 
that  he  could  no  more  tell  than  a  babe 
unborn,  for  he  was  alone  in  a  strange  world, 
and  the  time  of  his  understanding  was  not 
yet  begun.  Moreover,  though  the  secret  of 
Solomon  had  been  in  his  mouth,  yet  he 
could  not  have  uttered  it  for  the  noise  of 
the  shouting,  which  came  about  him  like  the 
clamouring  of  rooks  when  they  are  fluttered, 
and  so  continued  for  the  space  of  a  good 
hour.  And  an  evil  hour  it  was  for  him, 
seeing  that  the  sun  was  now  high  and  fierce, 
and  the  burden  of  it  made  his  back  weary, 
and  the  noise  became  as  it  were  a  bruise 
within  his  head. 

And  at  the  last,  when  it  was  now  hard  on 
noon,    he    saw    that    the   crowd   was    moved 
80 


Aladore 


and  parted  to  right  and  left,  and  through  the 
midst  there  came  a  train  of  great  ones,  walking 
slowly  between  halberdiers  and  trumpeters. 
And  they  came  upon  the  steps  of  the  great 
hall,  where  Ywain  was  standing,  and  saluted 
him  with  bowing ;  and  two  that  were  ser- 
vants brought  him  a  robe  of  black,  broidered 
with  gold,  and  they  made  as  though  they 
would  have  taken  from  him  his  cloak  of 
pilgrimage.  But  that  he  would  by  no  means 
suffer,  for  he  remembered  how  he  had  come 
by  it :  so  that  in  the  end  they  covered  his 
cloak  with  the  robe  and  were  content.  Then 
two  of  the  chief  ones  took  him  by  the  hand 
and  led  him  into  the  great  hall,  and  there 
went  in  after  them  all  that  train  and  many 
more. 


8i 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

HOW  YWAIN  SAT  AT  FEAST  IN  PALADORE  WITH 
THE  COMPANY  OF  THE  TOWER  AND  THE 
COMPANY   OF  THE   EAGLE. 

Now  the  hall  was  ordered  within  as  for  a 
feast,  and  the  ordering  of  it  was  after  the 
accustomed  manner  of  feasts :  for  at  one  end 
of  it  was  a  high  table  upon  a  dais,  and  other 
two  tables  there  were  that  came  squarely 
therefrom  as  the  two  posts  of  a  door  come 
squarely  from  the  lintel.  And  the  napery 
upon  the  tables  was  fine  and  white,  and  the 
dishes  were  of  silver :  but  upon  the  dais  was 
a  cupboard,  and  the  cups  upon  it  and  the 
ewers  and  the  plates  were  all  of  gold.  And 
up  and  down  the  hall  there  went  six  marshals 
who  showed  courteously  to  each  man  where 
he  should  be  seated :  and  they  showed  to 
82 


Aladore 


Ywain  a  seat  at  the  high  table,  and  when 
he  sat  therein  he  overlooked  wellnigh  all  the 
hall.  Then  came  two  pages  with  water  to 
let  wash  his  hands,  whereof  he  thanked  them 
without  feigning.  Then  the  marshals  brought 
to  him  those  that  should  sit  on  either  side 
of  him,  and  when  they  had  demanded  of 
Ywain  how  he  should  be  called,  then  they 
named  each  to  other  by  their  names.  And 
of  those  two  the  one  was  called  Sir  Rainald, 
and  he  was  shaped  like  a  pear  and  yellowed 
in  face,  and  slow  of  speech  as  one  upon 
whom  men  wait :  and  about  his  neck  was  a 
gold  chain,  and  a  jewel  of  gold  hung  thereby, 
made  in  the  fashion  of  a  tower.  But  the 
other  of  them  was  by  name  Hubert,  and  he 
was  a  young  man  and  slight ;  and  he  bore 
upon  him  the  scutcheon  of  the  Eagle,  and 
his  speech  was  restless  and  full  of  joy. 

Then  stood  up  a  great  Archbishop,  and  a 
herald  smote  upon  the  table  and  called  loudly 
for  silence :  and  when  the  Archbishop  had 
spoken  a  set  piece  of  grace,  then  all  men 
stirred  and  sat  them  down  again  with  much 
83 


Aladore 


clatter.      And   thereupon   came  servitors  and 
served  every  man  with  meat  and  drink. 

And  as  Yv^ain  ate  and  drank  his  weariness 
departed  and  his  spirit  came  again  to  him, 
and  he  was  minded  to  learn  the  truth  of  all 
that  he  had  seen  that  day.  To  which  end 
he  turned  him  first  to  Sir  Rainald,  seeing 
that  he  was  manifestly  of  the  Tower  and 
dwelt,  as  Ywain  supposed,  within  the  city. 
But  Sir  Rainald  was  not  to  be  so  handled  : 
for  he  was  such  an  one  as  would  liever  ask 
ten  questions  than  answer  two,  and  his 
manner  of  speaking  was  like  water  that  is 
slow  and  deep,  against  which  there  is  no 
force  to  stand,  but  only  to  go  therewith.  Yet 
was  the  man  courteous  after  his  kind,  for 
he  said  how  that  Ywain  had  done  well,  as 
for  so  young  a  fighter,  and  might  yet  come 
to  some  good.  And  though  he  knew  it  not, 
yet  in  one  matter  he  told  Ywain  that  which 
he  would  have  asked  him :  for  when  he  began 
to  speak  he  demanded  to  know  this,  whether 
Ywain  had  been  in  Paladore  at  any  time  past, 
or  was  only  that  day  come  among  them.  And 
.84 


Aladore 


thereby  Ywain  perceived  that  the  name  of  the 
city  was  called  Paladore. 

Then  in  no  long  time  weariness  came  again 
upon  Ywain,  and  he  left  speaking  with  Sir 
Rainald,  making  excuse  in  the  best  manner 
that  he  could  :  and  he  set  his  hope  upon  the 
young  man  Hubert,  for  he  saw  that  he  bore 
the  scutcheon  of  the  Eagle.  And  Hubert 
told  him  all  that  he  asked,  and  more  thereto : 
for  he  said  that  what  was  done  was  done 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  city,  whereby 
each  year  they  banished  all  such  of  the  young 
men  as  had  come  to  their  strength  :  and  once 
in  each  year  the  young  men  came  before  the 
gate  in  a  company  and  demanded  to  enter, 
and  they  were  favoured  of  many  within  the 
city,  but  certain  of  the  elders  went  out  and 
fought  with  them  to  drive  them  away.  And 
this  they  did  because  of  the  company  of  the 
Tower  :  for  it  was  a  most  ancient  company, 
and  they  feared  greatly  lest  the  young  men 
should  change  the  ordinance  thereof,  seeing 
that  it  was  fitter  for  men  in  age  than  in  youth. 

Then  Ywain  asked  him  concerning  the 
85 


Aladore 


company  of  the  Eagle,  and  first,  what  was 
the  ordinance  of  it :  and  Hubert  said  that 
they  had  no  ordinance  but  one,  and  that  was 
that  every  man  should  wear  his  own  colours 
and  do  after  his  own  heart :  and  this  also, 
that  he  should  always  and  in  all  places  fight 
against  the  Tower.  Then  Ywain  asked  him 
again  whether  it  was  so  that  the  Eagles  had 
always  the  better  of  the  Tower,  as  they  had 
at  this  present.  And  Hubert  said  that  there 
was  no  such  fortune  :  for  though  they  were 
many  in  number  and  of  a  great  spirit,  yet 
they  were  poor  and  poorly  furnished :  and 
there  was  yet  another  reason,  and  that  was 
because  they  kept  no  fellowship  together  and 
had  small  knowledge  of  war.  For  as  soon 
as  one  of  them  gathered  skill  or  strength 
in  fighting,  they  of  the  Tower  came  secretly 
and  offered  him  entrance,  so  that  for  the 
time  to  come  he  fought  not  against  them. 
Yet,  time  and  again,  he  said,  there  would 
come  one  that  could  not  be  reckoned  with ;  so 
that  once  in  ten  years,  as  it  might  be,  the 
86 


Aladore 


Eagles  would  have  the  mastery;  and  for  the 
hope  of  such  an  one  the  horn  was  blown,  to 
call  him  to  the  place  of  the  fighting. 

Then  Ywain  left  that,  lest  he  should  seem 
to  speak  of  himself,  and  he  said  how  he  was 
astonished  because  that  he  saw  about  him 
both  those  of  the  Eagle  and  those  of  the 
Tower,  sitting  and  feasting  together  after  so 
cruel  a  day's  work.  And  Hubert  answered 
that  this  also  was  of  the  custom,  and  great 
was  the  evil  that  came  of  it :  for  though  a 
young  man,  he  said,  may  become  old  before 
his  time,  never  will  an  old  man  come  back 
into  the  mind  of  his  youth,  so  that  it  was 
but  according  with  nature  that  through  the 
mingling  of  the  companies  the  Tower  should 
be  continually  plenished  and  the  Eagles 
minished. 

Then  the  herald  called  again  for  silence, 
and  Ywain  and  Hubert  spoke  no  more 
together.  And  when  the  Archbishop  had 
chanted  yet  another  piece  then  all  men  went 
out  from  the  hall. 

87 


CHAPTER    XV. 

OF   THE   GIFTS  THAT  WERE   GIVEN   TO  YWAIN 
AND   OF   A   DREAM   THAT   HE   DREAMED. 

And  it  was  now  long  past  noon,  but  the  crowd 
continued  still  in  the  market-place,  and  when 
they  saw  Ywain  come  out  upon  the  steps  they 
shouted  again :  for  above  all  things  they 
loved  to  see  fighting  and  to  hear  tell  of  it. 
Also  they  were  glad  when  they  saw  the  Eagle 
go  before  the  Tower :  for  men  will  reverence 
their  betters  and  yet  take  pleasure  to  see 
them  discomfited  ;  moreover  they  of  the 
Tower  ruled  continually  over  them  and  were 
thereby  the  heavier  to  bear,  but  they  of  the 
Eagle  came  only  to  make  sport  for  them. 

Ywain   therefore   perceived    that   the   com- 
mons held  him  in  honour  of  their  own  good 
88 


Aladore 


will:  but  the  great  ones  he  deemed  to  be 
his  friends  in  fear  rather  than  in  love,  honour- 
ing him  for  the  sake  of  the  custom  and 
because  he  had  the  good  will  of  others. 
Nevertheless  they  spoke  not  so  but  continued 
in  their  courtesy :  for  they  set  him  in  the 
midmost  of  their  train  and  brought  him 
through  the  city  to  a  house  that  was  made 
ready  for  him,  and  the  house  and  all  that 
was  in  it  they  gave  him  freely  to  have  and 
to  hold.  Furthermore  they  gave  him  certain 
customary  gifts  in  such  case  provided  :  and 
first,  a  hogshead  of  wine,  very  sweet  and  very 
drowsy,  and  this  was  the  gift  of  the  Eagles ; 
and  second,  a  silver  collar,  that  all  men  might 
salute  him  whensoever  they  saw  it,  and  this 
was  the  gift  of  them  of  the  Tower,  for  they 
themselves  loved  such  greeting  beyond 
measure.  And  the  third  gift  was  a  full 
bushel  of  gold,  and  this  was  the  gift  of  the 
whole  city  and  the  greatest  of  the  three,  for 
in  Paladore  they  have  a  saying  that  gold  is 
the  noblest  of  the  metals,  and  nobleness  they 
89 


Aladore 


honour  above  all  virtues.  Then  when  they 
had  given  Ywain  these  gifts,  they  took  their 
leave  of  him,  as  for  that  time  :  and  Yv^ain 
thanked  him  as  best  he  might,  and  made  fast 
the  door  of  his  house.  And  for  a  short  space 
he  was  content  to  look  about  him  at  one  thing 
and  another,  as  a  child  will  play  with  his 
toys  when  they  are  new :  and  then  he  thought 
to  taste  of  the  wine  that  had  been  given  him, 
and  when  he  had  drawn  a  little  of  it  into 
a  cup,  he  drank  it.  And  for  a  moment  he 
had  some  joy  thereof,  for  it  was  sweet  upon 
the  tongue  and  ran  bravely  through  his  blood  : 
but  afterwards  the  drowsiness  in  it  was  yet 
stronger  than  the  sweetness  and  the  bravery, 
so  that  he  desired  no  more  to  live  but  only 
to  dream,  and  instantly  he  had  his  desire. 

Now  in  his  dream  it  seemed  to  him  that 
he  awoke  out  of  sleep  and  saw  that  the  sun 
was  set  and  the  moon  rising.  And  in  the 
moonlight  he  saw  beside  him  a  boy  weeping, 
and  it  was  the  boy  whom  he  had  followed 
and  found  not.  Then  Ywain  had  great  pain 
90 


Alad 


ore 


at  the  heart,  and  he  asked  him  the  reason 
of  his  weeping :  and  the  boy  gave  him  no 
word,  either  of  reason  or  unreason,  but  con- 
tinued weeping  pitifully.  So  for  comfort 
Ywain  took  him  by  the  hand:  and  instantly 
the  boy  left  weeping,  and  made  to  go  forth, 
and  he  led  Ywain  from  the  house  as  formerly 
he  had  led  him  from  the  house  of  Sulney. 

Then  they  two  went  through  the  streets 
together  and  came  quickly  to  the  gate  of 
the  city,  that  was  the  same  by  which  Ywain 
had  come  in  :  and  the  gate  was  shut  and 
locked,  and  the  porter  gone  within  the  gate- 
house. But  the  boy  laid  his  hand  against 
the  wicket  and  opened  it  lightly,  and  he  drew 
Ywain  after  him,  and  they  went  out  towards 
the  place  of  the  fighting.  And  the  boy 
stayed  not  there,  but  went  forward  to  the 
edge  of  the  steep  bank  and  looked  towards 
the  wood:  and  Ywain  also  looked  with  him, 
and  he  saw  the  river  and  the  stepping-stones 
and  the  meadow-ground  beyond  them.  And 
by  the  woodside  was  a  poplar  tree  new  fallen, 
91 


Aladore 


and  thereon  he  saw  under  the  moon  that 
lady  sitting,  and  suddenly  in  his  dream  he 
repented  him  that  he  had  so  left  her,  and 
he  well  knew  wherefore  the  boy  had  wept. 
And  they  two  ran  down  to  her  together  and 
Ywain  cast  himself  before  her :  and  he  laid 
his  hands  between  her  hands  and  sware  by 
his  faith  to  serve  her  truly.  And  in  his  dream 
she  looked  kindly  upon  him,  and  he  saw 
her  eyes,  and  they  were  grey  like  the  dawn, 
and  filled  with  coming  brightness.  So  he 
turned  him  about  to  bring  in  the  boy,  that 
he  also  might  be  comforted :  but  the  place 
was  all  clear  moonlight,  and  boy  there  was 
none,  neither  to  right  nor  to  left. 

Then  the  lady  rose  up  and  went  towards 
the  city  of  Paladore :  and  Ywain  went  with 
her,  and  she  brought  him  to  the  gate  and 
it  was  shut.  But  with  her  hand  she  touched 
the  wicket  and  so  opened  it,  and  they  entered 
in  thereat.  And  in  short  space  they  came 
to  Ywain's  house  and  passed  it  by,  and  when 
they  had  gone  some  deal  farther  they  came 
92 


s 

^   -           i 

1 

^5^'               MlVj 

ii      i 
:      1 

1      ' 

! 

1,    i 

n  ^^  si'^ 

' 

J.                                                  ^■        .^i  1 

Aladore 


before  a  house  that  Ywain  knew  not,  where 
was  a  great  shield  of  arms  beside  the  doorway. 
And  there  the  lady  stayed,  and  she  looked 
at  Ywain,  and  he  at  her,  and  when  he  thought 
that  she  would  have  said  somewhat  she  turned 
her  away  :  and  she  went  from  him  into  the 
house  without  word  spoken.  Then  Ywain 
also  went  his  way  :  and  as  he  went  in  his 
dream  the  moon  set,  and  the  sun  rose  on 
Paladore. 


93 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

HOW  YWAIN  FOUND  HIS  LADY  AGAIN,  AND 
HOW  SHE  WENT  FROM  HIM  THE  SECOND 
TIME. 

Long  time  was  Ywain  musing  on  that  which 
had  befallen  him  by  night,  and  it  seemed  to 
him  that  he  had  been  made  to  live  as  it  were 
in  two  lives,  seeing  that  out  of  one  sleep  he 
had  twice  awaked.  And  of  the  truth  of 
this  he  had  no  certainty,  but  of  his  service 
that  he  had  sworn  to  his  lady,  of  that  he  had 
certainty,  for  whether  in  his  dream  or  out  of 
his  dream  his  heart  assented  thereto.  More- 
over, he  desired  greatly  to  come  again  to  that 
house  where  he  had  seen  her  go  from  him : 
and  if  such  a  house  there  were  in  Paladore, 
he  doubted  not  to  find  it,  for  he  saw  yet 
94 


Aladore 


before  his  eyes  the  shield  of  arms  that  was 
there  beside  the  door,  and  it  was  party  of 
sable  and  silver,  with  a  ship  sailing  therein 
counter-coloured. 

But  now  while  he  was  musing  came  a 
messenger  from  Sir  Rainald,  and  entreated 
him  of  his  courtesy  that  he  would  be  with  Sir 
Rainald  shortly,  for  he  had  that  to  say  to 
Ywain  which  was  worth  his  hearing.  So 
Ywain  went  with  the  messenger  and  came  to 
Sir  Rainald.  Then  Sir  Rainald  spoke  to  him 
slowly  and  with  many  words,  as  men  speak  of 
grave  matters :  and  he  told  Ywain  how  he 
was  commanded  to  bring  him  that  same  day 
before  the  Prince  of  Paladore,  and  he  gave 
him  joy  therewith,  for  he  said  that  the  honour 
was  great,  and  such  as  fell  not  commonly  to 
them  that  were  strangers,  but  if  they  were 
on  some  embassage. 

Then  Ywain  thanked  him  in  such  words  as 

were  fitting,  and  so  covered  his  thought :  for 

in  his  old  life  he  had  had  knowledge  of  princes 

and  he  was  well-a-way  weary  even  to  remember 

95 


Aladore 


them.  Yet  for  the  desire  that  he  had  to  meet 
again  with  his  lady,  and  to  do  her  service,  he 
was  willing  to  pleasure  Sir  Rainald  and  the 
Prince  and  any  other.  So  when  an  hour  had 
been  set,  that  he  should  meet  with  Sir  Rainald 
before  the  door  of  the  Great  Gard,  then  Ywain 
took  his  leave  and  was  gone  until  the  evening. 
And  first  he  came  hastily  to  his  own  house : 
for  before  any  other  thing  that  he  might  do 
he  was  set  to  find  that  house  of  the  shield, 
and  he  thought  to  go  by  the  way  of  his  dream. 
And  he  found  the  way  like  as  he  remembered 
it,  and  came  before  the  house  and  saw  the 
shield :  and  he  entered  into  the  house,  for  the 
door  was  unlatched  and  there  was  no  man  to 
stay  him  or  to  answer  him.  Yet  he  entered 
not  so  easily,  for  the  door  stood  heavy  against 
his  hand  and  cried  out  upon  him :  and  he 
perceived  that  the  hinges  of  it  were  eaten 
with  old  rust.  Also  upon  the  inward  side  of 
it  was  much  cobweb  of  spiders,  and  in  the 
hall-way  dust  like  grey  sand  upon  the  flags. 
Then  he  went  from  chamber  to  chamber,  and 
96 


Aladore 


they  were  all  wide  and  waste  in  like  manner : 
and  his  eyes  were  darkened  to  look  upon  the 
place,  and  his  heart  was  cold  within  him,  for 
he  saw  it  as  a  place  of  the  dead  that  was 
mouldering  and  forgotten. 

Then  at  the  last  he  came  into  a  little 
chamber  that  was  high  above  the  hall :  and 
it  was  the  chamber  of  all  the  house  that  was 
most  richly  hung  and  furnished,  and  in  it 
was  a  lute  and  a  book  and  a  frame  of  broidery, 
and  upon  the  wall  a  round  mirror  of  glass. 
And  he  came  to  the  mirror  and  stood  still  to 
look  into  it,  and  when  he  looked  the  blood 
leapt  in  his  heart  as  a  horse  leaps  to  the 
spur :  for  in  the  glass  was  the  chamber  made 
small  and  clear,  as  it  were  far  off,  and  all 
things  in  order  as  he  had  seen  them,  save 
only  that  before  the  frame  of  broidery  he  saw 
a  lady  sitting  at  the  work.  And  for  all  the 
bending  of  her  head  and  the  shadow  upon 
her,  he  knew  well  that  she  was  his  own  lady ; 
and  he  kept  watch  upon  her  where  he 
stood,  for  to  move  him  from  the  mirror 
G  97 


Aladore 


he  dare  not,  lest  she  should  go  from  him 
again. 

Then  he  saw  in  the  glass  how  she  raised 
her  head,  and  looked :  and  in  that  same 
instant  the  mirror  was  filled  with  cloud,  and 
he  turned  him  swiftly  about  in  great  fear. 
But  his  fear  was  vain,  for  his  lady  was  verily 
there  before  him  sitting,  and  by  her  the  book 
and  the  lute,  and  all  things  in  the  chamber. 
And  she  gave  him  no  greeting,  but  bent  still 
to  her  broidery  and  made  as  though  he  had 
been  long  time  there  with  her.  And  presently 
she  bade  him  take  the  lute  and  sing  thereto : 
and  her  voice  was  light  and  careless,  as  of 
one  that  thought  most  of  her  own  business. 

Then  he  was  ashamed,  for  he  had  no  skill 
with  the  lute,  and  he  prayed  her  forgiveness 
humbly.  Then  she  said  it  was  no  matter, 
but  that  he  should  take  the  book  and  read  to 
her.  And  he  took  the  book,  and  opened  it : 
but  every  word  that  was  in  it  was  written  in 
an  unknown  tongue,  so  that  he  was  ashamed 
for  this  time  also.  Then  again  she  said  it 
98 


it:z:z^ 


Aladore 


was  no  matter,  but  for  a  little  while  she  was 
silent :  and  afterward  she  bade  him  look  from 
the  window  and  tell  her  of  that  which  he  saw. 
So  he  came  to  the  window,  that  was  an 
oriel  and  high  above  ground :  and  before  it 
and  beneath  lay  the  ridge  tiles  of  the  city, 
and  beyond  them  was  a  wall  with  battlements, 
and  above  the  battlements  was  a  long  line  and 
dim,  where  the  sky  met  with  the  sea. 

Then  he  said  to  his  lady,  I  see  some  part  of 
the  city  hereunder,  and  what  shall  I  say  of  it 
to  do  you  pleasure  ?  But  she  answered  him 
that  he  should  look  not  upon  the  city,  but 
beyond  it.  Then  he  said  to  her,  I  see  above 
the  battlements  a  dimness  of  blue,  and  in  it  is 
a  line  where  the  sky  meets  with  the  sea :  and 
what  more  shall  I  say  of  it  to  do  you 
pleasure  ?  And  she  answered  him  not,  but 
left  her  broidering  and  so  came  and  stood 
beside  him  at  the  window,  and  they  two 
looked  upon  the  sea  together.  And  at  the 
last  she  said  to  him,  Look  well  now  and  tell 
me  all :  for  I  see  that  of  which  you  have  not 
99 


Aladore 


told  me.  And  he  looked  again,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand  and  peering  carefully :  but 
nothing  could  he  see,  save  one  dimness  upon 
another. 

Then  an  evil  thought  came  into  his  mind, 
and  he  said  within  himself,  This  is  her  will, 
to  put  shame  upon  me,  and  to  make  me  speak 
of  that  which  I  see  not,  as  though  I  saw  it 
with  my  eyes.  Then  he  looked  once  again, 
and  as  he  looked  he  spoke,  and  in  his  voice 
was  a  little  grain  of  anger,  as  small  as  the 
sand  that  grits  between  the  teeth.  And  he 
said,  I  see  nothing  where  nothing  is :  and  in 
that  instant  he  heard  his  lady  sigh,  there  as 
she  stood  beside  him ;  and  sorrow  came  upon 
him  to  hear  her,  and  he  would  have  turned  to 
yield  himself.  And  he  turned  and  found  her 
not,  for  in  the  taking  of  a  breath  she  was 
gone  from  him. 


[OO 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

OF  ALADORE  AND  OF  THE  SANDS  CALLED 
THE  SHEPHERDINE  SANDS. 

Then  Ywain  groaned  inwardly,  for  he  said,  I 
am  a  fool  and  worse  than  a  fool,  and  for  a 
moment  he  hated  himself  and  all  that  he  had 
done.  But  afterward  he  considered  a  little 
and  said.  This  comes  not  of  folly  but  of  new- 
ness, for  I  have  not  been  used  to  live  in  two 
several  lives.  Yet  by  all  seeming  my  lady 
does  even  so,  and  I  with  her:  therefore  she 
knew  well  that  I  was  her  sworn  servant, 
dream  in  and  dream  out,  and  if  I  had  be- 
thought me  of  this  I  had  never  been  angry. 
But  now  I  have  offended  the  second  time, 
and  how  I  am  to  meet  with  her  again  I 
cannot  tell,  seeing  that  she  comes  and  goes 
like  the  wind  among  the  leaves. 

lOI 


Aladore 


So  he  went  down  the  house  and  out  of  it, 
and  set  his  face  to  go  toward  the  sea,  for  he 
thought  by  carefulness  or  by  good  hap  he 
might  come  to  perceive  that  which  before  had 
been  hid  from  him.  And  as  he  went  he  heard 
one  call  him  by  his  name,  and  he  looked  about 
and  saw  the  young  man  Hubert  behind  him 
coming  quickly,  and  he  stayed  for  him  so  that 
they  went  forward  together.  And  as  they 
went  they  talked,  and  this  time  also  Hubert 
told  Ywain  all  such  things  as  he  demanded  to 
know,  for  whether  feasting  or  fasting  he  was 
ever  the  same  man,  and  his  speech  was  restless 
and  joyful. 

And  first  Ywain  asked  him  of  the  house  of 
the  shield,  wherefrom  he  had  come ;  and 
Hubert  said  that  it  was  of  old  the  house  of 
Sir  Ogier,  but  now  of  his  daughter  the  Lady 
Aithne,  for  Sir  Ogier  was  by  his  own  out- 
rageousness  drowned  and  dead.  And  of  the 
Lady  Aithne  he  said  that  she  was  beautiful 
beyond  telling,  and  therein  Ywain  well  believed 
him,  and  then  he  said  that  she  came  never 

I02 


Alad 


ore 


there,  but  hated  them  of  Paladore  and  forsook 
them  utterly,  and  Ywain  laid  that  saying  by, 
that  he  might  ponder  it. 

Then  in  their  talking  they  came  to  the  wall 
of  the  city,  and  Ywain  saw  before  him  a  gate 
that  he  knew  not  yet :  and  beside  it  upon  the 
left  hand  was  a  castle,  and  a  courtyard,  and 
men  afoot  with  halberds,  and  men  ahorse  with 
swords  drawn,  and  many  folk  coming  and 
going.  And  this,  said  Hubert,  is  the  Great 
Gard  of  the  Prince  of  Paladore,  and  it  lies 
against  the  wall  of  the  city  and  overtops  it, 
and  so  runs  a  good  furlong  to  the  south :  but 
on  the  east  it  stands  above  the  city  and  looks 
down  into  it,  as  a  tree  may  stand  above  a 
sheep-fold.  Yet  not  so  in  truth,  for  in  what 
place  a  tree  stands,  there  will  it  look  down 
on  this  side  and  on  that,  and  not  on  one  side 
only,  as  it  is  with  this  Gard  of  theirs. 

Therewith  he   brought  Ywain  to  the   gate 

and  so  out  of  the  city;  and  he  turned  about 

and  showed  him  that  on  this  side  the  face  of 

the  Great  Gard  was  as  it  were  blind,  and  in 

103 


Aladore 


no  way  looked  upon  the  sea.  And  Ywain  was 
astonished  thereat,  for  the  place  was  passing 
beautiful,  with  a  broad  way  beneath  the  wall, 
and  a  border  of  great  trees,  and  between  the 
trees  the  wide  water,  coloured  diversely  with 
green  and  purple  colours.  Then  he  looked 
out  as  far  as  eye  might  see,  and  as  he  looked 
he  forgot  Hubert  and  remembered  Aithne, 
for  he  longed  greatly  to  know  what  was 
the  thing  which  she  had  perceived  and 
he  not. 

Then  he  turned  back  in  his  thought  to 
Hubert,  and  asked  of  him.  What  place  is 
this,  and  for  what  reason  so  forsaken  ?  And 
Hubert  answered.  Well  is  it  that  you  ask 
this  of  me  and  of  none  other.  For  the  place 
is  called  the  High  Steep  of  Paladore,  and  it 
is  not  forsaken  but  forbidden :  for  in  Paladore 
the  sea  is  held  for  a  dread  thing  and  an  evil, 
and  the  great  ones  and  those  of  the  Tower 
and  those  of  the  Prince's  household  will  have 
it  neither  in  sight  nor  in  hearing,  so  that  it 
is  not  so  much  as  named  with  us,  save  now 
104 


Aladore 


and  then  with  women,  or  else  with  harpers 
and  rhymers  and  the  like. 

Then  Ywain  said,  Without  doubt  you  make 
mirth  of  me,  for  I  perceive  that  you  are  speak- 
ing one  thing  and  thinking  of  another,  as  men 
use  in  jesting.  But  Hubert  said.  There  is 
no  mirth  in  the  matter,  save  it  be  the  mirth 
that  covers  aching  bones.  For  at  times  we 
have  sight  from  hence  of  that  which  in  all 
the  world  we  most  desire,  and  well -begone 
is  he  that  sees  it :  yet  for  this  desire  are  we 
shamed  and  slighted,  as  children  are  hushed 
that  speak  foolishly  among  their  elders. 

But  what  see  you,  said  Ywain,  or  what 
desire  you  to  see?  And  therewith  his  heart 
began  to  go  to  and  fro,  for  he  knew  that 
he  was  near  his  lady's  secret.  Then  Hubert 
laughed  a  little  and  made  as  though  he 
would  answer  him :  but  he  answered  him 
as  it  were  slant -wise,  for  he  said.  Their 
shame  is  a  toothless  dog ;  and  again  he  said, 
They  see  but  little  that  never  see  Aladore. 

Then  of  a  sudden  he  changed  his  manner 
105 


Alad 


ore 


of  speaking,  and  went  laughing  and  talking 
at  great  random :  whereby  Ywain  perceived 
that  he  had  done  with  that  matter,  and 
would  have  no  more  of  it,  until  he  should 
return  into  his  former  mind.  So  Ywain  took 
counsel  with  himself  to  lay  wait  for  him 
there,  seeing  that  it  behoved  him  greatly, 
for  his  lady's  sake,  to  hear  tell  of  Aladore. 
Then  they  two  left  the  way  under  the 
wall,  and  passed  out  between  the  trees :  and 
they  cast  themselves  down  upon  the  grass 
and  lay  there  for  a  space  looking  towards 
the  sea.  And  below  them  where  they  lay 
was  the  high  steep,  grey  and  green :  and 
below  the  steep  was  a  beach  upon  the 
margent  of  the  water.  And  as  for  the 
water,  that  was  of  two  kinds,  for  nigh  land 
it  was  unvexed  and  still,  as  a  deep  river  is 
still:  but  a  mile  out  it  was  broken  and 
foam  -  flocked,  as  it  were  a  great  green 
meadow  and  a  thousand  of  white  sheep 
thereon,  and  so  continued  as  far  out  as  eye 
could  see.  And  Ywain  marvelled  to  see  the 
1 06 


Aladore 


breaking  of  the  water,  for  there  was  no  wind 
and  the  tide  was  well  nigh  silent  upon  the 
strand.  And  Hubert  told  him  that  it  was 
no  marvel,  for  the  water  inshore  was  deep, 
so  that  a  ship  might  go  thereon :  but  out 
yonder,  he  said,  no  man  may  sail  and  keep 
his  life,  for  the  sea  is  full  on  every  side  with 
banks  of  sand,  and  the  name  of  them  is 
called  the  Shepherdine  Sands,  and  many  a 
one  have  they  covered  from  all  sight  and 
seeking. 

Then  said  Ywain,  They  are  well  named 
by  the  name  of  the  Shepherdine  Sands,  for 
I  see  the  sheep  plainly;  but  tell  me  this, 
for  what  sake  any  man  should  go  among 
them  to  peril  of  death?  And  Hubert  said. 
For  the  sake  of  Aladore.  Then  Ywain 
thought  to  anger  him  that  he  might  be  the 
more  certainly  answered :  so  he  spoke  scorn- 
fully and  said.  What  manner  of  men  are 
they  that  for  such  a  sake  will  go  to  peril 
of  death  ?  But  Hubert  was  no  whit  angered, 
and  he  said  joyfully.  Well  worth  the  peril 
107 


Aladore 


and  the  death ;  for  they  tell  such  tales  of 
Aladore  that  if  but  the  half  of  them  be  true, 
then  may  it  well  be  the  land  of  every  man's 
desire.  And  this  you  believe  not  yet,  for 
you  have  not  seen  it,  nor  can  I  tell  you 
on  what  day  or  by  what  enchantment  you 
may  come  to  see  it :  for  a  man  may  watch 
half  his  life  in  vain,  and  suddenly  in  the 
lifting  of  his  eyes  it  will  be  there,  between 
sky  and  sea,  as  clear  as  stone  in  sunlight. 

Then,  when  he  heard  this,  Ywain  was 
silent  for  a  space,  and  continued  looking 
out  to  seaward :  but  he  saw  there  nothing 
that  was  new,  for  he  saw  only  the  still 
water  anear  him,  and  afar  oif  the  blue 
border  of  the  sky;  and  between  them  he 
saw  that  pasture  perilous  of  the  Shepherdine 
Sands. 


io8 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

OF    PALADORE   AND   OF   THE    PRINCES 
THEREOF. 

Right  so  came  the  sound  of  trumpets  from 
within  the  battlements:  and  Hubert  started 
up  upon  his  feet  and  said  joyfully  how  it 
was  the  trumpets  in  the  Great  Gard  blowing 
to  hall.  And  he  made  Ywain  also  to  rise 
up  and  go  with  him :  and  he  brought  him 
again  through  the  gate  and  into  the  city, 
and  so  to  his  own  lodging,  and  there  Hubert 
would  have  Ywain  to  dine  with  him  and 
with  certain  others.  And  of  those  others 
one  was  named  Maurice  and  another  Bar- 
tholomy  and  the  third  Dennis,  and  they 
were  all  the  three  of  them  young  men  and 
restless  in  their  speech  as  was  Hubert  him- 
109 


Aladore 


self.  So  they  five  talked  together  all  the 
time  of  dinner,  and  afterward  they  rose  not 
from  the  table  but  continued  talking. 

And  as  reason  was,  so  it  happened  in  their 
talk,  that  there  was  ever  one  that  made 
question  and  four  that  answered :  whereby  at 
the  last  it  seemed  to  Ywain  that  his  head 
span  round,  for  they  four  smote  him  with 
strange  sayings  on  this  side  and  on  that, 
as  boys  will  smite  a  top  and  spin  it.  And 
when  they  had  told  him  the  customs  of 
Paladore  concerning  war  and  witchcraft  and 
marriage,  then  they  told  him  of  the  clergy 
and  the  Court.  And  of  clergy  they  said 
that  there  was  scarce  one  to  be  seen  in  all 
the  city,  for  the  great  ones  believed  them 
not  and  the  commons  loved  them  not :  there- 
fore they  banished  them  for  the  most  part, 
yet  not  far  off,  lest  evil  should  come  thereby, 
or  some  sudden  need.  But  the  Archbishop 
they  kept  still  within  the  city,  for  he  was  of 
the  company  of  the  Tower,  or  at  the  least 
so  they  thought  of  him.  And  of  churches 
no 


Alad 


ore 


they  made  no  account,  but  left  them  there : 
yet  for  the  hope  of  Paradise  there  were 
many  that  went  pilgrimage. 

Then  they  all  praised  the  Prince  some  deal, 
but  of  the  Court  they  told  Ywain  such  things 
as  men  will  tell  of  Courts,  and  in  part  he 
believed  them  and  in  part  he  believed  them 
not :  for  in  his  time  he  also  had  told  the  like 
and  found  it  otherwise.  But  this  much  he 
heard  of  Maurice  and  took  it  for  truth,  namely 
that  by  old  custom  none  could  be  Prince  in 
Paladore  save  that  he  were  a  giant  of  his 
stature  and  of  his  lineage :  also  must  no 
Prince  take  a  wife  save  that  she  likewise  came 
of  giants,  to  the  end  that  the  same  estate  and 
goodliness  might  remain  unto  their  children's 
children.  And  by  this  counsel,  said  Maurice, 
it  came  to  pass  that  being  no  more  of  one 
kind  with  smaller  folk,  he  that  was  Prince 
could  not  have  ado  with  his  people,  neither 
in  battle  nor  in  love :  but  he  had  of  them 
great  reverence,  for  all  men  praised  the  doing 
of  his  lineage  in  time  past.     Moreover  upon 


Aladore 


high  days  there  would  go  lords  before  him, 
bearing  a  great  sword  and  a  crown  of  tourney ; 
and  when  they  of  Paladore  saw  the  Prince 
accompanied  therewith,  there  was  then  no 
renown  that  they  would  not  believe  of  him. 

So  said  Maurice,  and  Bartholomy  laughed 
and  said  further,  It  is  true  enough,  yet  this 
also  is  true,  that  our  Prince  is  no  free  man, 
but  lives  in  durance  all  his  life -days.  For 
by  no  old  custom,  but  belike  by  fear  of  his 
greatness,  it  is  forbidden  that  he  come  abroad 
into  the  city  without  he  be  guarded  by  armed 
guards,  lest  perchance  he  should  some  time 
break  forth  and  go  his  own  ways.  Moreover 
it  is  provided  that  in  his  own  house  also,  and 
whether  he  be  eating  or  drinking  or  what  else 
doing,  he  shall  in  any  case  be  bound  with 
chains:  and  in  the  making  of  such  chains 
they  of  Paladore  have  great  skill,  for  they 
will  tie  a  man  hand  and  foot  with  bonds  of 
no  seeming  substance,  and  yet  past  breaking 
of  any,  save  he  be  strongly  holpen  of 
friends. 

112 


Alad 


ore 


Then  Dennis  laughed  also,  and  he  said 
Nay,  but  this  one  thing  you  have  forgotten, 
how  that  our  Princes  have  leave  for  all  man- 
ner of  hunting  and  fov^^ling :  and  they  go 
freely  into  all  such  forests  as  are  large 
enough,  and  strike  all  such  game  as  shall 
come  near  enough.  For  though  they  ride 
not  v^rith  hounds,  lest  their  horses  fall  dov^n 
under  so  great  weight,  yet  will  they  stand  in 
covert  the  day  long  with  marvellous  endur- 
ance, to  shoot  at  such  few  birds  and  beasts 
as  may  be  driven  forth  to  them.  And  this 
is  well  done,  for  in  Paladore  good  hunting 
brings  good  will,  and  the  Prince  thereby  has 
the  love  of  all  his  people.  And  their  love 
fails  not,  but  increases  continually:  for  they 
hold  this  Prince  that  now  is,  to  be  better 
than  his  father,  and  he  also  was  better,  as 
it  is  reported,  than  any  that  was  before  him  : 
and  certainly  in  the  old  time  they  killed  not 
their  game  so  easily,  nor  one  fourth  part  of 
the  number  thereof. 

Then  said  Ywain,  I  perceive  plainly  that 
H  113 


Alad 


ore 


this  is  a  good  Prince,  but  I  am  yet  to  seek 
wherefore  he  should  desire  my  presence.  And 
Hubert  and  Maurice  and  Bartholomy  and 
Dennis  when  they  heard  Ywain  say  so,  they 
were  astonished,  for  they  knew  not  of  the 
sending  of  Sir  Rainald ;  and  they  ceased  from 
their  laughing  as  men  cast  suddenly  into  fear. 
And  Hubert  said,  This  is  of  the  Tower,  for  I 
know  their  handiwork  of  old.  Then  Ywain 
said  merrily.  By  seeming  I  also  am  a  beast 
of  the  game.  But  they  four  laughed  no  more, 
and  Ywain  perceived  that  there  was  no  merri- 
ness  left  in  them :  for  they  dreaded  the  favour 
of  the  Tower,  whereby  they  might  lose  their 
man  as  soon  as  they  had  gained  him.  And 
in  no  long  while  after  Ywain  took  his  leave 
of  them :  and  he  hastened  and  came  to  Sir 
Rainald,  for  it  was  time. 


114 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

HOW  YWAIN  SPOKE  WITH  THE  PRINCE  OF 
PALADORE  AND  HOW  HE  TOOK  UPON  HIM 
THREE   ADVENTURES. 

So  when  he  had  met  with  Sir  Rainald,  they 
two  went  up  together  into  the  Great  Gard : 
and  when  they  came  therein  Ywain  perceived 
that  Maurice  had  told  him  truth,  for  the  house 
was  high  and  wide  and  full  of  great  chambers, 
and  in  no  way  fit  to  be  the  dwelHng  of  a  man, 
save  he  were  of  a  bigness  beyond  all  other. 
Also  he  saw  that  the  farther  from  the  gate 
the  taller  were  all  those  on  whom  he  came : 
and  it  seemed  to  him  as  though  he  also  took 
some  change  thereby.  For  when  he  had  been 
brought  into  the  chamber  that  lay  before  the 
chamber  where  the  Prince  was,  then  he  began 
X15 


A]  adore 


to  doubt  of  his  own  stature,  and  his  bones 
became  shrunken  and  his  sinews  weak  within 
him. 

Then  came  lords  unto  Ywain  and  unto  Sir 
Rainald,  and  put  robes  upon  them  and  so 
led  them  in.  And  when  they  were  come  in 
they  found  the  Prince  at  play,  sitting  upon 
the  floor  of  the  chamber:  and  beside  him 
upon  the  floor  were  a  multitude  of  toys, 
fashioned  after  the  likeness  of  men-at-arms, 
and  he  made  them  go  hither  and  thither  as 
he  would,  so  that  it  was  a  marvel  to  behold. 
And  when  he  saw  Ywain  and  Sir  Rainald  he 
ceased  not  from  his  playing,  but  he  called  to 
them  lightly  to  come  on,  and  take  their  share 
in  his  pastime.  And  Ywain  wondered  and 
looked  hard  at  him  :  for  the  words  were  the 
words  of  a  child,  but  he  that  spoke  them 
was  by  all  seeming  a  man  of  forty  year. 

Then  at  the  last,  when  he  had  done  with 

his  playing,  the  Prince  came  to  his  feet,  and 

he  was  nothing   terrible,   for  all  his  bigness. 

Neither  was  he  a  child,  no,  not  by  some  deal : 

ii6 


Aladore 


for  he  asked  such  questions  as  they  ask  that 
have  seen  the  manner  of  men,  and  of  women 
also.  But  he  said  not  many  things  of  his 
own,  nor  new  things  in  any  sort :  and  it  was 
plain  to  see  that  his  bonds  wearied  him.  And 
Ywain  also  they  wearied,  for  he  could  not 
choose  but  watch  them  glittering  upon  the 
Prince,  so  that  he  seemed  to  bear  the  burden 
of  them  himself. 

Then  the  Prince  brought  him  to  a  window 
that  looked  upon  the  city,  and  he  asked  Ywain 
whether  it  were  in  his  mind  to  stay  in  Pala- 
dore  or  to  go  from  thence  shortly.  Then 
Ywain  remembered  his  lady  Aithne,  and  he 
answered  quickly  that  if  it  pleased  the  Prince 
he  was  minded  to  stay.  And  the  Prince  was 
pleased  thereat,  and  he  said  that  he  looked 
for  Ywain  to  take  upon  him  certain  adven- 
tures ;  for  so  did  all  those  that  had  so  much 
of  skill  and  fortune.  And  Ywain  answered 
yea,  for  he  loved  this  Prince  and  thought  no 
evil  of  him :  but  he  knew  not  of  what  ad- 
ventures he  would  speak. 
117 


Alad 


ore 


Then  the  Prince  looked  at  him  pleasantly: 
and  he  considered  a  little,  as  a  man  considers 
of  divers  meats  upon  the  board,  every  one  of 
them  sweet  to  his  tooth.  Then  he  named  to 
Ywain  three  several  adventures,  that  he  would 
have  him  take  upon  himself:  and  he  named 
the  first  thereof  the  adventure  of  the  Chess, 
and  the  second  the  adventure  of  the  Howling 
Beast,  and  the  third  he  named  the  adventure 
of  the  Castle  of  Maidens. 

Then  it  seemed  to  Ywain  as  though  his 
stature  had  returned  to  him,  and  he  answered 
lightly  that  he  would  take  upon  him  these 
adventures,  and  that  forthwith  :  and  the  Prince 
gave  him  leave  to  depart,  and  said  how  that 
he  had  done  well  and  should  yet  do  better. 
And  this  also  was  Ywain's  thought  within 
himself:  but  in  the  same  moment  he  looked 
upon  the  face  of  Sir  Rainald,  and  he  saw  it 
as  the  face  of  a  fox,  well  pleased  with  the 
cunning  that  he  has  practised. 


m8 


CHAPTER  XX. 

OF  THE  ADVENTURE  OF  THE  CHESS,  AND  BY 
WHAT  MEANS  YWAIN  BROUGHT  HIS  MEN 
INTO  OBEDIENCE. 

So  within  a  while  came  letters  to  Ywain 
appointing  him  a  day  for  the  adventure  of 
the  Chess.  And  on  the  day  appointed  he 
looked  forth  from  his  house  and  saw  how 
there  stood  before  the  door  a  company  of 
great  ones,  and  they  called  to  him  courteously 
and  showed  him  a  horse  that  was  made  ready 
for  him.  And  when  he  came  out  to  them  they 
let  cover  him  with  a  cloak  of  silver  and  blue, 
and  they  gave  him  for  his  head  a  cap  of  silver 
with  a  plume  of  blue,  and  he  perceived  that 
his  horse  was  furnished  in  the  like  colours. 
Then  they  brought  him  to  the  gate  of  the 
119 


Alad 


ore 


city  that  looked  toward  the  South,  and  one 
of  them  told  him  by  what  way  he  should  go, 
and  how  it  behoved  him  to  come  before  noon 
to  the  Castle  of  the  Chess,  and  so  prove 
the  adventure.  Also  another  of  them  cast  a 
baldrick  and  a  horn  about  his  neck,  and  said 
how  that  without  doubt  it  should  fortune  to 
him  as  he  should  deserve,  and  if  so  be  that 
he  achieved  the  adventure  then  when  he  came 
again  he  should  come  blowing  upon  the  horn, 
that  his  friends  might  make  ready  betimes  to 
meet  him.  And  some  there  were  that  laughed 
thereat,  and  among  their  faces  Ywain  saw  the 
face  of  Sir  Rainald. 

Then  he  set  forth,  and  he  rode  at  an  easy 
pace,  for  the  morning  was  yet  hoar  with  the  dew 
of  night  and  the  gossamer  upon  the  grass.  And 
when  he  had  passed  over  the  high  land  that  was 
before  the  city  he  came  to  a  river  and  forded 
it,  and  so  took  the  forest  and  went  by  a  green 
road  therein.  And  before  noon  he  was  aware 
of  a  castle  that  stood  above  the  forest,  and 
he  entered  in  at  the  gate  of  it  and  came  to 
1 20 


Aladore 


the  hall  and  alighted  down  from  off  his  horse. 
And  he  marvelled  at  the  manner  of  the  castle, 
for  he  found  none  there  to  stay  or  to  speed 
him,  neither  in  the  gatehouse  neither  within 
guard :  yet  was  the  hall  well  kept  and  fur- 
nished, with  meat  and  drink  on  table  and 
new  rushes  thereunder.  Also  there  was  a 
great  bell  above  that  sounded  to  dinner  with- 
out hand  or  rope :  so  that  it  was  easy  to 
perceive  that  the  place  was  enchanted  by 
sorcery. 

Now  when  Ywain  had  well  dined  he  fell 
into  a  study,  not  knowing  what  more  he  was 
to  do.  And  as  he  studied  he  heard  a  noise 
without  the  hall,  but  of  what  the  noise  might 
be  he  could  not  tell,  for  it  was  faint  as  wind 
or  water.  So  he  arose  and  went  into  a  bay 
window  that  was  beside  the  high  table,  and 
there  was  a  great  lattice  there  which  stood 
wide  open,  and  he  came  to  it  and  looked 
out.  And  he  saw  there  a  courtyard  that  lay 
beneath  the  window,  and  the  floor  of  it  was 
chequy  sable  and  white  after  the  fashion  of 

121 


Aladore 


the  tables  of  chess,  whereby  he  knew  that  he 
was  come  to  his  adventure.  And  thereby  also 
he  perceived  the  meaning  of  the  noise  that  he 
heard:  for  even  as  he  looked  there  came  out 
of  a  cloister  two  companies  apparelled  after 
the  fashion  of  the  chess,  as  it  were  pawns 
and  bishops  and  the  like,  on  this  side  and 
on  the  other.  And  they  of  the  other  side 
were  all  in  cloth  of  gold  with  red  bordures, 
but  they  of  the  side  that  was  Ywain's  were  all 
in  cloth  of  silver  with  bordures  of  blue,  and 
of  the  rustling  of  the  cloth  of  gold  and  of  silver 
came  that  noise  aforesaid,  and  other  noise  was 
there  none,  but  that  only,  and  the  sound  of 
it  was  like  the  whispering  of  the  wind  in 
an  ambush. 

Then  Ywain  looked  to  see  who  was  he  that 
should  play  with  him :  and  he  saw  how  that 
beyond  the  chequer  there  was  a  window 
opened,  over  against  the  window  wherein  he 
stood.  And  in  that  window  was  a  shadow, 
and  in  the  shadow  a  semblance  like  to  the 
semblance  of  a  man  :  but  between  the  windows 

122 


Aladore 


came  the  sunlight  broad  upon  the  chequer, 
and  for  the  glare  of  it  he  had  no  certainty 
of  that  which  was  within  the  shadow. 

Then  he  saw  that  the  two  companies  were 
all  in  order  arrayed  upon  the  chequer,  and 
the  game  awaiting  for  him :  and  he  thought 
how  he  would  send  his  pawn  forward  accord- 
ing to  the  usage,  but  he  spoke  no  word  as 
yet,  for  he  had  no  desire  to  hear  his  own 
voice  in  that  place.  Nevertheless  the  pawn 
moved  as  he  would  have  it,  and  immediately 
a  pawn  of  the  gold  moved  also  to  meet  him : 
whereby  Ywain  perceived  that  the  manner  of 
the  game  was  not  by  speaking  but  by  think- 
ing, and  when  he  thought  again  to  command 
a  piece,  then  that  piece  also  moved  accord- 
ing to  his  thought. 

Thus  began  the  playing  upon  this  side  and 
upon  that :  and  in  the  beginning  Ywain  had 
the  advantage,  and  he  looked  presently  to 
have  the  mastery.  But  the  way  thereto  was 
long  and  tangled,  and  the  end  fell  suddenly 
into  doubt.  For  when  the  time  of  the  stroke 
123 


Aladore 


was  come  Ywain  perceived  that  either  his 
remembrance  had  failed  him  in  strange  wise, 
or  else  that  he  had  been  undone  by  a  knight 
of  his :  for  whereas  by  his  intention  the 
knight  should  have  been  upon  the  sable,  now 
he  was  found  upon  the  white,  and  so  out  of 
distance  for  the  stroke.  Then  was  Ywain  in 
great  peril,  but  he  fought  warily  to  recover 
his  game,  and  rebutted  stoutly  and  so  came 
again  into  good  hope. 

But  with  the  misadventure  and  the  doubt, 
and  with  the  slowness  of  the  playing,  the 
day  was  wellnigh  passed  over,  and  the 
shadow  of  the  battlements  crept  softly  upon 
the  chequer.  Then  the  sun  fell  more  quickly 
to  the  high  tower  of  the  castle,  and  was  gone 
behind  it  suddenly,  and  a  little  wind  stirred 
in  the  coldness  of  his  going.  And  Ywain 
saw  how  the  wind  caught  the  gold  and  silver 
pieces  as  it  were  in  a  whirlpool,  and  it  carried 
them  away  under  the  cloister  wherefrom  they 
had  issued:  and  they  went  after  the  manner 
of  dead  leaves,  rustling  and  eddying  by  no 
124 


Alad 


ore 


motion  of  their  own.  And  he  marvelled 
greatly  thereat,  for  he  had  supposed  them  to 
be  men  like  himself,  but  now  he  doubted. 

Then  he  went  to  sup  and  to  sleep,  and 
found  all  things  made  ready  as  before,  but 
the  silence  of  the  place  choked  him  and  the 
solitariness  lay  deathwardly  upon  his  spirit. 
Yet  he  remembered  how  he  had  that  day 
been  near  to  win  his  game,  and  he  thought 
well  to  amend  it  on  the  morrow  and  give 
mate  before  the  time  of  sunset.  But  therein 
his  hope  deceived  him,  for  again  on  the  mor- 
row his  fortune  was  at  odds  with  his  force, 
and  when  he  came  to  make  his  stroke  he 
was  undone  by  the  transgression  of  his  men : 
so  that  his  battle  was  disordered  until  sunset 
and  the  wind  right  welcome  to  break  off  the 
game. 

And  when  he  thought  thereon,  despair  came 
upon  him,  because  he  saw  that  the  obedience 
of  his  company  was  not  as  the  obedience  of 
those  others.  And  when  he  came  to  his  bed 
he  lay  long  waking,  and  he  cast  every  way 
125 


Alad 


ore 


for  counsel  how  he  might  make  his  thought 
to  prevail  more  perfectly.  Then  in  the  last 
hour  of  the  night  he  rose  up  out  of  his  bed 
and  came  softly  down  into  the  cloister  to 
see  the  truth  of  the  companies,  for  his  mind 
was  so  busy  that  he  could  not  sleep.  And 
when  he  was  come  down  the  day  was  break- 
ing, and  he  found  the  men  all  together,  the 
gold  with  the  silver,  and  they  lay  this  way 
and  that  upon  the  stones  of  the  cloister,  even 
as  the  wind  had  drifted  them  :  and  by  seem- 
ing they  were  light  and  hollow,  like  the  barren 
mast  beneath  a  beech-tree. 

Then  Ywain  stood  looking  upon  them,  and 
as  he  looked  the  sun  rose  and  he  saw  a 
marvel :  for  with  the  sun  rising  their  life  came 
again  into  them,  and  they  began  to  breathe 
and  stir  as  men  breathe  and  stir  in  their 
sleeping.  Then  he  put  forth  his  hand  and 
touched  one  and  another  of  them :  and  when 
he  had  touched  them  all,  he  perceived  that 
they  of  the  gold  party  were  every  one  ruddy 
and  warm  of  flesh,  but  they  of  the  silver  were 
126 


Aladore 


all  white  and  cold  as  mushrooms.  And  in 
the  same  instant  he  knew  the  truth  of  their 
disobedience :  for  he  said  within  himself,  They 
fight  in  my  quarrel,  but  the  heat  of  my  blood 
they  lack. 

Right  so  he  knew  what  he  must  do :  and 
he  took  the  hermit's  knife  that  was  about  his 
neck,  and  loosed  it  from  the  sheath,  and  with 
the  point  of  it  he  pierced  his  breast  strongly, 
so  that  the  blood  came  forth  in  good  plenty, 
and  the  pain  drew  at  the  roots  of  his  heart. 
And  he  came  again  to  them  of  the  silver 
company  and  with  his  own  blood  he  touched 
them  upon  the  lips,  until  he  had  be-bled  them 
all :  but  the  gold  ones  he  touched  not,  for 
there  was  no  need.  And  last  of  all  he  touched 
the  Queen,  and  she  awoke  and  rose  up  and 
looked  upon  him  as  with  remembrance :  and 
she  put  forth  her  hand  in  turn  and  touched 
him  upon  the  breast,  and  immediately  the 
pain  ceased  and  the  blood  was  stayed.  And 
Ywain's  heart  trembled  as  she  looked  at  him ; 
for  beneath  her  looks  he  saw  his  lady's  image, 
127 


Aladore 


as  men  see  faces  in  the  fire.  But  she  let 
close  her  eyes  again  and  turned  her  from 
him  and  so  fell  suddenly  to  her  sleep. 

Then  Ywain  entered  into  great  meditation 
and  continued  long  therein,  so  that  he  walked 
in  meditation  and  ate  and  drank  the  same 
to  his  dinner  and  came  unawares  to  the  hour 
of  the  adventure.  But  when  the  pieces  were 
now  arrayed  and  by  his  thought  he  began 
to  move  them  upon  the  chequer,  then  he 
perceived  that  on  this  day  the  game  was  in 
his  hand :  for  his  men  obeyed  him  with  so 
brisk  obedience  that  he  saw  them  moving 
before  ever  he  knew  that  his  will  was  set. 
Also  they  went  no  more  from  his  intent,  but 
kept  his  ordinance  and  came  all  together  to 
the  stroke :  whereby  the  gold  company  were 
discomfited  and  their  king  was  both  checked 
and  mated. 

Then  upon  the   instant  came  a  wind  and 

thunder    and    lightning,    and    Ywain's     eyes 

dazzled  therewith.     And  when  he  opened  his 

eyes    again    the    castle   was    gone   from    him 

128 


Alad 


ore 


utterly,  with  the  windows  and  the  courtyard 
and  the  chequer :  and  he  stood  in  a  place 
of  rocks  upon  a  green  mound  of  the  forest. 
And  there  also  he  saw  his  horse  beside  him 
saddled  and  bridled,  and  upon  the  saddle 
bow  two  crowns,  a  gold  and  a  silver.  And 
he  took  the  crowns  and  rode  lightly  towards 
the  city :  and  when  they  of  Paladore  heard 
his  horn  they  came  forth  to  meet  him,  as 
they  had  said.  Nevertheless  the  most  of 
them  were  astonished  and  some  displeased : 
for  they  looked  not  to  have  seen  him  again. 
And  the  gold  crown  they  took  for  the  Prince, 
as  reason  was :  but  with  the  silver  crown  they 
crowned  Ywain  and  so  brought  him  cityward. 
And  as  they  went  he  fell  aweary:  and  the 
sun  set,  and  the  night  rose  on  Paladore. 


129 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

OF  THE  ADVENTURE  OF  THE  CASTLE  OF 
MAIDENS  AND  HOW  YWAIN  WAS  COUN- 
SELLED   TO    ESCAPE    THEREFROM. 

Now  for  this  adventure  Ywain  had  great 
honour  of  all  the  commons,  for  there  was 
no  sort  of  fighting  that  they  did  not  love, 
and  they  gave  praise  above  measure  to  him 
that  could  bring  men  into  his  obedience. 
Wherefore  they  were  not  willing  that  Ywain 
should  meet  as  yet  with  the  Howling  Beast, 
for  by  that  adventure  they  had  lost  many 
that  should  have  been  great  men  for  them. 
So  they  went  clamouring  that  he  might  be 
assigned  a  day  for  the  Castle  of  Maidens, 
for  that  was  an  adventure  without  pain  and 
without  peril,  as  the  most  of  them  deemed: 
130 


Aladore 


howbeit  others  there  were  that  thought  other- 
wise. 

Then  the  Prince  consented  to  their  clam- 
our, being  counselled  thereto  by  them  of  the 
Tower :  for  they  looked  to  have  Ywain  either 
this  way  or  that,  and  by  favour  first,  if  it 
might  be  so,  but  if  not,  then  by  foul  work, 
as  by  the  Beast.  So  on  the  third  day  they 
came  again  to  Ywain  with  smooth  faces,  and 
they  brought  him  forth  to  a  great  castle  that 
was  named  the  Castle  of  Maidens :  and  it 
stood  a  three  mile  from  the  city,  in  a  meadow 
toward  the  sun-rising.  And  thither  resorted 
all  the  lords  of  Paladore  and  great  part  of 
the  commons,  by  hundreds  and  by  thousands : 
and  in  the  midst  of  them  went  Ywain  with 
a  twenty  more  that  were  of  his  company. 
And  these  were  all  young  and  lusty  men,  of 
lineage  and  wealth  sufficient,  and  they  took 
Ywain  for  their  captain  and  banneret. 

So  they  came  to  the  castle  anon,  and  found 
barriers  thereby  and  lists  set  ready:  and 
Ywain  and  his  company  went  within  the  lists. 
131 


Aladore 


And  against  them  there  came  forth  as  many 
others,  for  to  do  battle  with  them :  but  the 
custom  was  that  they  fought  not  with  weapons 
of  war,  but  with  spears  of  wood  only.  For 
upon  the  walls  of  the  castle  were  many 
maidens,  both  young  and  old ;  and  though 
they  might  not  all  be  young,  yet  were  they 
all  too  tender  to  look  upon  wounds  and  death. 
And  they  were  apparelled  in  hoods  of  clear 
colours,  right  joyous  and  well-beseen,  like 
flowers  arow  upon  the  wall :  and  they  ceased 
not  from  making  a  high  sweet  noise  among 
themselves,  as  it  were  the  noise  of  swallows 
upon  a  ridge-tile. 

Then  Ywain  and  his  were  armed  and  came 
riding  merrily  to  tourney.  And  they  bestirred 
themselves  in  the  best  manner,  so  that  in 
one  hour  they  had  the  castle  yielden  and 
in  mercy:  for  they  that  kept  it  fought  but 
for  the  custom's  sake,  and  had  no  force  to 
make  good  their  keeping.  Then  when  he  had 
received  the  keys,  Ywain  entered  into  the 
castle  with  all  his  company :  and  there  the 
132 


Aladore 


maidens  unarmed  them  and  brought  them  to 
hall,  that  they  might  eat  and  drink  and  make 
ready  to  fulfil  all  the  custom. 

Now  the  custom  of  the  castle  was  this, 
that  whosoever  should  have  the  mastery 
thereof  and  enter  as  by  conquest,  never  might 
he  and  his  depart  again  therefrom  save  first 
they  should  be  wedded,  every  man  with  a 
maiden  of  the  castle.  And  they  were  all, 
both  men  and  maids,  no  better  than  blind- 
fold, for  the  manner  of  their  wedding  was 
by  lot.  And  when  the  time  for  the  lotting 
was  come,  the  maidens  sat  together  in  a 
gallery,  among  such  as  were  of  their  blood 
and  fellowship :  and  they  were  all  diversely 
clad  in  silken  gear,  no  two  alike,  but  every 
one  of  one  only  colour.  Then  they  that  had 
won  the  castle  were  brought  in  before  them 
in  coats  of  silk;  and  the  coats  also  were 
diverse  and  no  two  alike,  but  every  one  of 
one  only  colour.  And  the  colours  of  the 
maidens  and  of  the  men  were  such  as  each 
one  pleased,  according  to  their  fantasy:  and 
133 


Aladore 


the  maidens  knew  not  of  the  men,  nor  they 
of  the  maidens,  how  they  would  make  choice  : 
but  when  they  came  in  presence,  if  any  were 
matched  in  their  colours  then  those  two  were 
wedded  together  and  so  departed  from  the 
castle  to  their  own  place. 

Then  when  Ywain  heard  tell  of  the  custom 
he  was  vexed  with  indignation,  for  he  saw 
how  he  had  been  snared  unwitting.  And  he 
went  hither  and  thither,  as  it  might  be  a 
young  wolf  raging  in  the  net :  but  all  the 
doors  of  the  castle  were  barred  and  bolted, 
so  that  there  was  no  escape.  Then  by 
chance  he  came  upon  an  old  dame,  that  was 
there  within  a  little  chamber  alone:  and  he 
made  excuse  and  would  have  taken  his  leave 
of  her.  But  she  called  to  him  and  said. 
Good  Sir,  what  ails  you  ?  And  he  answered 
her,  Good  Madam,  what  think  you  ?  Shall  a 
man  be  wedded  by  custom  and  by  chance? 
Then  she  said.  So  are  the  most  of  men 
wedded ;  but  if  you  will  verily,  it  may 
be  that  I  shall  help  you  therefrom.  Yea, 
134 


Aladore 


verily,  said  Ywain,  for  I  am  bounden  other- 
where. 

Then  the  old  dame  put  forth  her  hand 
and  made  to  give  him  somewhat,  and  when 
he  had  handled  it  he  perceived  that  it  was 
a  silken  coat,  and  the  colour  of  it  was  of 
black,  both  within  and  without.  And  she 
said  to  him.  Take  this  and  abide  the  lot- 
ment,  for  it  is  not  to  be  heard  of  among  a 
miUion  of  maidens  that  any  hath  chosen 
black  for  her  wedding.  Then  Ywain  consid- 
ered of  her  counsel,  and  saw  that  it  was 
good:  and  though  it  had  not  been  good  yet 
he  could  not  better  it.  So  he  made  to  leave 
her,  but  first  he  thanked  her  heartily :  and 
that  old  dame  looked  kindly  upon  him,  as 
with  remembrance.  And  Ywain's  heart  trem- 
bled within  him,  for  he  saw  beneath  her  looks 
the  image  of  his  lady,  as  beneath  a  many  old 
faces  may  be  seen  the  beauty  that  was  there 
aforetime. 

So  he  went  from  her  to  abide  the  lotment : 
and  as  she  had  said,  even  so  it  was,  for  there 
135 


Alad 


ore 


was  none  among  the  maidens  that  had  black 
to  her  colour.  Then  all  were  matched  save 
Ywain,  and  he  only  was  left  there  unmatched : 
so  that  every  man  might  see  how  he  had 
taken  counsel  to  escape.  And  some  said  that 
he  had  not  wholly  achieved  the  adventure, 
and  others  said  that  he  had  achieved  it  twice 
over,  for  he  had  prevailed  both  without  the 
castle  and  within. 

Howbeit  they  brought  him  forth  with  the 
rest  that  were  all  matched  and  wedded,  and 
they  came  cityward  with  a  great  noise  of 
shouting.  And  as  they  went  Ywain  fell 
aweary  of  them  and  of  their  customs:  and 
the  sun  set  and  the  night  rose  on  Paladore. 


136 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

OF  THE  ADVENTURE  OF  THE  HOWLING 
BEAST. 

Thereafter  Ywain  continued  in  weariness, 
and  in  despite  and  anger  against  the  great 
ones  of  Paladore  :  for  he  perceived  how  they 
had  devised  these  adventures  of  a  very  pur- 
pose, so  that  they  might  have  him  at  their 
will  by  fellowship  or  else  by  treason.  More- 
over he  longed  greatly  to  see  his  lady  again, 
and  could  not :  and  of  such  longing  also 
comes  weariness,  when  a  man  sees  time  go 
by  and  nothing  bettered.  So  Ywain  made 
search  in  all  Paladore,  if  he  might  but  hear 
tell  of  the  Lady  Aithne :  and  he  found  some 
few  that  would  speak  of  her,  and  little  he 
got  of  them.  For  one  would  say  how  she  was 
137 


Aladore 


gone  into  a  far  country,  and  one  how  she  was 
ever  a  wanderer :  and  thereby  they  intended 
no  good  thing,  for  their  meaning  touched 
on  Aladore,  howbeit  they  named  not  the 
name.  So  Ywain  went  to  and  fro,  and  re- 
turned continually  to  the  house  where  he 
had  seen  her  :  and  in  a  three  days  he  came 
there  twenty  times,  and  at  last  he  thought 
to  lie  like  a  dog  before  her  doorway. 

Then  at  this  time  Sir  Rainald  sent  a 
messenger  to  him,  and  said  how  that  in  two 
adventures  Ywain  had  done  great  pleasure 
to  his  lord  the  Prince,  and  he  gave  him  to 
think  that  by  the  achieving  of  the  third 
adventure  he  might  well  establish  himself. 
And  Ywain  believed  him  not,  for  he  knew 
better :  but  by  reason  of  his  despair  he  made 
assent:  for  he  cared  not  what  might  become 
of  him. 

So  upon  the  morrow  very  early  two    came 

and  called  him  forth :    and  they  brought  him 

a  horse  and  an   axe,  but    no    gear  else,   and 

he  went   with   them   apparelled   in  the  cloak 

138 


Alad 


ore 


and  hat  of  his  pilgrimage.  Then  he  asked 
them  of  the  adventure,  and  they  told  him 
thereof:  and  the  manner  of  it  was  that  he 
should  enter  in  a  certain  park  and  hew 
therein  a  tree :  and  the  tree  might  be  which 
he  would,  but  he  must  hew  it  within  a  day 
and  a  night,  and  it  must  be  down  before 
the  daybreak.  And  as  for  the  hazard  and 
the  pain  of  the  adventure,  they  said  how 
that  came  by  the  howling  of  the  Beast;  for 
at  the  sound  of  the  axe  it  would  howl  be- 
yond endurance,  so  that  none  might  hear  it 
and  be  the  man  he  was  aforetime. 

Now  the  park  was  from  the  city  a  two 
hours'  journey,  and  there  was  a  high  wall 
about  it  and  a  strong  gate  thereto :  and  there 
were  some  within  which  were  appointed  to 
keep  the  Beast,  but  they  were  all  deaf  men, 
and  heard  nothing  in  the  world.  So  they 
that  brought  Ywain  there  unlocked  the  gate, 
and  they  gave  him  the  axe  and  bade  him 
enter  quickly,  for  they  were  in  haste  to  be 
gone.  Then  he  left  his  horse  and  entered, 
139 


Aladore 


and  the  gate  was  shut  upon  him,  and  he 
could  well  hear  those  men  departing,  for 
they  rode  as  men  in  fear. 

Then  he  looked  and  saw  how  the  park 
was  all  full  of  thickets,  very  dark  and  tangled 
of  old  growth ;  and  he  went  forward  slowly, 
lifting  high  his  feet.  And  as  he  went  it 
bechanced  that  he  struck  his  axe  against  a 
tree,  and  wounded  it  chipwise.  And  im- 
mediately there  came  a  noise  beside  him  like 
the  growling  of  a  great  hound,  and  there- 
with a  fear  took  him  that  was  like  a  fear 
out  of  childhood,  for  it  was  quicker  than 
thought  and  more  deep  within  him.  And  he 
looked  all  ways,  and  saw  nothing ;  and  he 
listened  and  heard  the  beating  of  his  heart. 

Then  he  went  forward  again  and  found  a 
place  that  was  open  ground :  and  it  was  a 
green  valley  between  the  thickets,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  valley  stood  a  goodly  elm-tree. 
Yet  was  the  goodliness  of  it  by  semblance 
only,  for  within  bark  it  was  long  since  gone 
and  rotten.  And  Ywain  came  to  the  elm- 
140 


Aladore 


tree  and  struck  it  wilfully,  for  he  was  there 
in  a  clear  field  and  thought  to  see  the  truth 
of  the  matter.  But  in  his  stroke  his  senses 
departed  from  him,  for  there  came  a  noise 
behind  him  such  as  he  heard  never  in  all 
his  days,  no,  nor  dreamed  thereof  in  an 
evil  dream.  For  it  was  like  the  roaring  of 
a  wild  bull  and  like  the  howling  of  a  dog 
upon  a  grave :  and  when  he  heard  it  his  life 
turned  black  within  him  and  his  heart  was 
angered  even  to  madness.  And  he  swung  his 
axe  and  struck  the  tree  haphazard,  as  a  man 
may  strike  that  is  bhnded  in  battle,  and  his 
fear  was  greater  than  his  courage,  and  his 
anger  was  greater  than  his  fear. 

So  he  went  smiting,  and  his  hands  were 
bruised  and  his  body  shaken :  and  the  Beast 
howled  even  more  loud  and  the  rage  of  it 
pierced  Ywain's  heart  and  broke  it  utterly. 
For  when  he  heard  that  sound  it  seemed  to 
him  that  he  was  hated  of  all  men  and  of 
himself  also,  and  he  felt  his  life  perishing  into 
dust  as  the  grain  perishes  between  the  mill- 
141 


Aladore 


stones.  And  his  strength  went  from  him 
momently,  so  that  in  no  long  time  he  had 
been  mad  or  dead,  save  only  for  the  help 
wherewith  he  was  holpen  presently. 

For  in  his  misery  there  came  to  him  a  sound 
of  clear  music,  as  a  lantern  comes  to  a  child 
that  is  lost  in  darkness :  and  the  music 
was  of  a  reed  only,  yet  there  was  within  it 
a  voice  singing  that  was  as  plain  as  words. 
For  as  Ywain  heard  it  he  thought  on  old  and 
noble  wars,  and  he  remembered  in  his  heart 
the  names  of  them  which  had  renown 
therein ;  and  he  feared  no  more  to  be  hated, 
for  he  had  part  with  them.  And  therewith 
the  howling  of  the  Beast  became  faint  and 
without  meaning,  as  a  noise  that  is  very  far 
off:  and  Ywain's  strength  came  again  to  him 
and  he  hewed  with  might  and  with  measure, 
and  in  a  hundred  strokes  he  felled  the  tree 
endlong. 

Then  with  the  fall  of  that  tree  the  noise 
of  howling  ceased,  and  Ywain  looked  and 
s^.w  that  he  had  been  long  in  his  madness, 
142 


Aladore 


for  it  was  now  the  last  hour  of  the  day.  And 
the  music  that  he  heard  ceased  not,  but  the 
voice  changed  within  it :  for  it  sang  no  more 
of  old  things  but  of  new.  And  as  he  heard  it 
Ywain  forgot  all  the  ills  that  he  had  suffered 
in  all  his  life,  and  he  thought  on  such  a 
place  as  might  be  the  land  of  his  desire: 
and  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  was  not  far 
therefrom.  Then  his  thought  went  from  him 
and  he  slept. 

And  when  he  awoke  it  was  grey  dawn : 
and  he  rose  up  and  began  to  go  from  that 
place.  And  as  he  went  there  met  him  a 
herd-girl  with  a  herd  of  black  swine,  and  in 
her  hand  was  a  little  pipe  of  wood,  and  when 
Ywain  saw  the  pipe  he  remembered  how  he 
had  been  holpen  overnight.  Then  he  thought 
to  ask  of  the  herd-girl  what  might  be  the 
music  which  had  come  to  him.  And  she  held 
up  her  pipe  before  him  and  said :  Sir,  there 
is  here  no  music  but  of  this  only :  for  here  are 
none  but  deaf  men,  and  I  that  pipe  to  the 
deaf.  But  whither  you  go  there  is  music 
■143 


Aladore 


enough :  for  you  will  go,  as  I  think,  by  the 
high-road.  And  therewith  she  left  him  and 
went  further.  But  as  she  went  she  looked 
again  at  him,  and  she  smiled  as  with  re- 
membrance :  and  in  her  smiling  he  saw  his 
lady  the  third  time.  Yet  he  saw  her  not  to 
his  profit,  but  as  a  man  may  see  an  image  in 
a  glass,  which  is  certainly  of  the  world 
visible,  but  in  nowise  of  the  life  thereof.  So 
he  looked  only  and  let  her  go  from  him. 


144 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

HOW  YWAIN  EMPRISED  TO  GO  TO  THE  CITY 
OF  THE  SAINTS  AND  SO  INTO  THE 
DELECTABLE    ISLE. 

So  within  a  while  he  came  to  the  gate,  and 
found  it  wide  open.  And  when  he  had 
passed  out  he  looked  towards  Paladore,  for 
they  which  brought  him  thence  had  spoken 
of  a  day  and  a  night,  and  they  said  how 
they  would  return  again  thereafter,  if  per- 
chance they  might  find  him  still  in  life  and 
understanding.  And  as  he  looked  he  saw  far 
off  a  company  that  moved  upon  the  road 
hitherward :  but  he  perceived  that  they  came 
not  ahorse  but  afoot,  and  they  were  not  two 
but  many.  Also  they  were  banded  in  good 
order  as  they  came,  and   kept    measure,  foot 

K  145 


Aladore 


by  foot,  and  they  sang  all  together :  and  that 
which  they  sang  was  a  godly  hymn,  but  it 
was  some  deal  fierce  in  the  singing. 

Then  Ywain  stood  still  to  mark  their 
passing :  but  they  left  him  not  so.  For  when 
they  were  now  going  by  him  he  saw  among 
them  the  young  man  named  Bartholomy,  that 
was  friend  to  him  in  Paladore,  and  Bartho- 
lomy had  sight  of  Ywain  also  in  the  same 
instant.  And  he  ceased  from  his  singing 
and  ran  out  of  the  company  and  came 
to  Ywain  and  took  him  by  the  two  hands : 
and  he  entreated  him  to  be  of  the  com- 
pany and  to  go  with  them.  And  Ywain  was 
little  loth,  for  he  saw  how  their  backs  were 
turned  on  Paladore,  and  he  cared  not  greatly 
whither  he  went,  so  only  he  went  not  to  that 
city.  So  he  gave  Bartholomy  neither  nay 
nor  yea  to  his  entreaty,  but  he  began  to  go 
with  him  slowly,  following  behind  the 
company. 

And  as  they  went  Ywain  began  to  ask  of 
him  to  what    place  they   were  going  and  on 
146 


Aladore 


what  adventure.  And  Bartholomy  answered 
him  quickly  and  said  how  that  it  was  no 
adventure  but  a  high  emprise,  sounding  in 
life  and  death,  yea,  of  ^heir  very  souls.  For 
they  were  aweary  of  Paladore  and  misdoubted 
of  all  the  customs  there,  seeing  how  they 
were  hard  customs  with  no  kindness  or 
godliness  in  them.  Also  he  said  how  that  in 
all  the  world  there  might  no  peace  be  found, 
save  only  in  the  City  of  the  Saints  :  and  that 
was  by  report  far  off  and  beset  of  many 
enemies.  Yet  were  they  vowed  both  to  come 
thither  and  to  dwell  therein,  if  by  endurance 
and  good  hope  they  might  achieve  their  vows. 
Then  Ywain  asked  him :  Whence  then  hath 
the  City  this  peace?  And  Bartholomy  said: 
The  report  of  it  is  diverse.  For  some  men 
say  of  it  that  it  cometh  by  one  way  and 
some  by  another  :  as  first,  by  conquest,  for 
they  that  dwell  there  do  continually  subdue 
their  enemies.  But  this  to  my  thinking  is 
a  doubtful  saying.  And  secondly,  as  some 
have  said,  it  cometh  by  hope  of  reward:  for 
147 


Alad 


ore 


the  people  of  the  Saints  trade  thence  into 
the  Delectable  Isle,  where  a  man  may  have 
all  that  he  will,  whether  of  gold  or  ivory. 
And  this  also,  said  Bartholomy,  I  take  for 
profit  rather  than  for  peace.  But  the  third 
way  is  by  good  ordinance,  for  in  that  city 
they  follow  not  their  own  will,  nor  strive 
amongst  themselves,  but  every  one  to  serve 
another:  also  they  do  nothing  waywardly, 
but  all  things  by  rule  and  governance.  And 
for  this  peace  I  long  both  by  day  and  by 
night. 

Then  as  he  heard  him  Ywain  was  kindled 
a  little,  and  he  said  within  himself:  I  also 
am  aweary,  and  would  serve  another,  and  not 
myself.  And  whether  all  this  be  true  I 
cannot  tell,  but  as  I  guess  it  is  an  old  report 
that  has  warped  in  wandering.  For  what  is 
this  Delectable  Isle  wherein  a  man  may  have 
all  his  desire,  if  it  be  not  that  Aladore  which 
I  am  to  look  for  over  sea,  and  who  knows 
but  I  may  come  thither  and  find  my  lady 
and  my  love  ? 

148 


Aladore 


But  to  Bartholomy  he  told  nothing  of  his 
musing :  only  he  took  him  by  the  arm  and 
said  that  he  would  go  with  him  and  see  this 
city.  And  therewith  he  pressed  his  arm  in 
token  of  fellowship :  for  he  drew  near  to  him 
in  spirit  because  of  his  voice,  and  because  of 
the  words  which  he  had  spoken. 


149 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

HOW  YWAIN  SAW  THE  CITY  OF  THE  SAINTS 
THE  FIRST  TIME  AND  HOW  HE  HEARD 
THE   BELLS  THEREOF. 

Now  was  Ywain  once  more  upon  pilgrimage : 
yet  he  had  not  that  joy  which  he  had  afore- 
time, when  he  left  his  house  of  Sulney.  For 
then  he  went  of  his  own  will  and  followed 
after  the  boy,  that  was  no  stranger  to  his 
blood  :  but  now  he  was  lonely  and  without 
desire,  and  though  he  had  somewhat  to  seek, 
yet  his  going  moved  rather  from  despair. 
Also  the  sky  was  changed  above  him,  for  the 
year  began  to  leave  summer  and  to  turn  to- 
wards winter,  and  the  green  was  brown  and 
the  brown  yellowing,  and  the  nights  coldened 
and  the  days  drew  in. 

150 


Alad 


ore 


Moreover  Ywain  walked  not  so  willingly 
with  all  his  company :  for  some  of  them  were 
but  ale  -  knights  which  had  repented  them 
when  they  were  adrunken,  and  some  were 
swashers  home  from  war,  and  others  there 
were  which  loved  anguishment  above  all, 
and  being  feeble  goers  would  make  themselves 
yet  feebler,  with  peasen  underfoot  and  hairy 
shirts  and  bodycords  about  them.  Neither 
were  they  wholly  at  one  in  their  emprise : 
for  the  half  of  them  were  in  hope  to  be  at 
rest  in  the  City  of  the  Saints,  and  the  other 
half  to  be  speedily  at  war  against  their 
enemies,  so  that  many  times  when  they  sang 
their  singing  was  diverse,  and  their  fellowship 
most  like  to  go  agrief. 

And  in  no  long  time  this  came  to  pass. 
For  when  they  were  a  ten  days  gone  upon 
their  way,  they  that  were  angriest  among 
them  departed  from  the  feeble  ones :  and 
they  set  off  across  country  at  great  random, 
saying  how  they  would  take  the  city  by 
assault  and  keep  it  against  all  others.  Then 
151 


Alad 


ore 


they  that  remained  went  every  day  slower 
and  more  slow,  and  though  they  had  all  one 
weariness  yet  had  they  not  all  one  mind. 
For  they  fell  into  much  doubt  and  dispute 
concerning  their  two  guides :  whereof  the  one 
was  a  young  lad  that  knew  but  little  of  that 
country,  and  the  other  was  an  old  man  and 
blind  these  many  years.  So  at  the  last  they 
were  severed  again  into  two  bands  and  went 
their  ways :  for  they  that  went  with  the 
youngling  said  how  they  would  build  a  new 
city  and  forsake  the  old,  but  Ywain  and  a 
five  or  six  more  went  not  with  them,  for 
Bartholomy  entreated  Ywain  against  his  will. 
Then  they  set  forward  again,  and  came  to 
a  country  of  hills  :  and  before  they  entered 
upon  the  hills  the  old  blind  fell  adying  that 
was  their  guide.  And  they  found  a  warm 
village  under  the  hills,  and  left  him  there, 
for  it  was  plain  to  see  that  his  time  was 
come.  Then  Ywain  and  Bartholomy  thought 
to  go  their  way,  to  find  the  city  or  to  end 
in  seeking  it ;  but  they  that  had  come  so 
152 


Aladore 


far  would  go  no  farther  with  them,  for  they 
were  afeard  to  leave  their  guide,  or  living  or 
dead. 

So  these  twain  entered  alone  upon  the 
hills,  and  came  through  them  in  three  days : 
and  when  they  had  passed  through  they  saw 
the  city  there  below  them.  And  it  lay  in 
the  midst  of  a  plain,  upon  a  hill  that  was 
but  a  great  mound,  with  a  river  thereby 
like  silver  flowing :  and  the  sea  was  fast 
by  beneath  the  sun-setting,  and  the  river 
went  thereto  through  meadows  and  through 
boskage. 

Then  Ywain  and  Bartholomy  came  down 
towards  the  foothills  and  drew  nearer  to  the 
city  :  and  when  they  were  upon  the  foothills 
they  saw  it  over  against  them  in  marvellous 
wise.  For  the  walls  of  it  were  of  a  white 
old  age,  with  great  bastions  between  all 
rounded,  and  before  the  walls  were  meadows 
and  above  them  were  massy  trees.  And 
within  the  city  the  roofs  were  of  red  and 
of  grey,  and  among  the  roofs  were  spires 
153 


Aladore 


and  domes  and  high  towers  innumerable :  and 
Ywain  saw  them  clearly  against  the  sky,  and 
they  were  all  passing  beautiful,  and  not  one 
of  them  like  another.  And  there  lay  upon 
the  city  an  enchantment,  like  to  a  mist  or 
dimness  upon  it :  for  to  such  as  stood  with- 
out and  looked  upon  it  and  beheld  the  walls 
and  the  gardens  and  the  high  towers  thereof, 
to  them  it  seemed  ever  to  be  abiding  in 
ancientry  and  peace,  as  of  no  earthly  city, 
but  to  those  within  it  showed  after  another 
fashion. 

And  while  Ywain  and  Bartholomy  stood 
still  looking  upon  the  city  the  sun  set  and 
dusk  came  round  about  them ;  and  in  the 
dusk  they  saw  a  glimmering  of  lights.  And 
they  perceived  that  in  that  city  was  full 
plenty  of  chapels  and  of  halls  :  for  on  every 
side  there  were  great  windows,  and  in  the 
windows  were  many  lights  shining,  rich  and 
orderly,  window  by  window  aline  upon  the 
darkness.  Also  they  heard  suddenly  a  ring- 
ing of  bells,  so  many  and  so  sweet  to  hear, 
154 


Aladore 


that  they  were  astounded  with  the  harmony 
of  them :  for  they  sounded  one  under  another, 
as  it  might  be  under  deep  and  shallow  water. 
And  there  was  one  great  bell  which  donged 
below  all  other  :  and  the  sound  of  it  came 
up  to  Ywain  like  a  sound  from  the  bottom 
of  the  sea. 


155 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

OF   THE    MANNER   OF    THE    CITY   AND    HOW 
YWAIN    FELL   ADROWSING   THEREIN. 

Ah,  said  Ywain,  what  is  this  city  and  by 
whom  builded  ?  For  it  is  certain  that  I 
came  never  here  until  now,  and  yet  there  is 
not  one  tower  of  it  that  I  know  not  of  old 
time.  And  Bartholomy  answered  him  not, 
but  out  of  the  dusk  a  voice  came  and 
answered  him,  saying  :  Good  truth  and  good 
reason,  for  this  city  was  builded  from  the 
beginning,  and  all  men  are  by  nature  free 
thereof;  so  that  come  they  what  day  they  will 
they  come  not  as  strangers  but  inheritors. 

Then  Ywain  saw  a  man  before  him  stand- 
ing, habited  after  the  fashion  of  the  religious : 
and  he  saw  him  gladly,  for  he  took  comfort 
in    the    words    that    he    had    spoken.      And 
156 


Alad 


ore 


Bartholomy  was  comforted  also,  for  he  had 
been  in  doubt  how  they  should  come  that 
night  into  the  city,  seeing  that  by  likelihood 
the  gates  would  be  shut  and  guarded.  And 
he  took  the  man  by  the  hand  and  entreated 
him  that  he  would  make  good  his  saying : 
and  he  told  him  how  they  were  of  Paladore, 
come  hither  by  reason  of  weariness,  and  how 
they  were  by  name  Ywain  and  Bartholomy. 
And  he  answered  them,  Yea,  but  they  should 
have  new  names  for  a  new  life  ;  for  he  also 
had  in  the  world  a  name  worldly,  but  was 
now  become  Vincentius,  and  prayed  daily 
against  remembrance  of  things  past. 

Then  Bartholomy  said  Ay:  and  Ywain 
spoke  no  word,  but  his  lips  trembled.  And 
Vincent  looked  upon  their  two  faces,  and  he 
perceived  the  diversity  of  them,  for  he  read 
them  as  the  pages  of  a  book.  And  he  said 
to  Bartholomy :  What  look  you  to  find  here  ? 
And  he  answered  Peace :  and  Vincent  said 
to  him,  It  is  well.  Then  he  asked  of  Ywain 
also  the  same  question :  and  Ywain  said 
157 


Alad 


ore 


openly :  I  am  a  lover  and  a  seeker,  and  I 
look  only  to  love  and  to  seek.  And  Vincent 
answered  him :  It  is  well  with  you  also, 
since  you  are  come  hither :  for  you  shall 
love  that  which  you  desire  not,  and  seek  that 
which  you  have  never  seen. 

Then  he  led  them  down  toward  the  city  : 
and  as  they  went  they  were  astonished  that 
he  should  so  have  met  with  them  in  the 
nick  of  need.  But  Vincent  said  that  it  was 
no  marvel :  for  that  every  day  at  the  time 
of  twilight  it  was  his  custom  to  come  forth 
out  of  the  city  and  walk  abroad,  to  the 
intent  that  he  might  lead  in  any  that  were 
forwandered.  So  they  came  to  the  gate  and 
passed  in  with  him,  and  he  brought  them 
through  the  city  to  a  house  where  they 
should  be  lodged,  and  they  supped  there 
within  the  hour. 

And  while   they   sat   at  supper  they  spoke 

of  all  that  had  fortuned  to  them :  and  Vincent 

heard  them  and  answered  them  comfortably, 

as    a    Doctor    will    answer    them    which    are 

158 


Al  adore 


diseased.  But  of  that  which  he  said  Ywain 
heard  not  the  half,  by  reason  of  the  bells 
which  continued  sounding  above  the  city: 
for  the  sound  of  them  wrapt  him  about  as 
it  were  with  softness  and  with  sleep.  And 
his  weariness  became  pleasant  to  him  and 
his  thought  a  dream :  and  he  desired  nothing 
else  but  to  hear  those  bells  continually  both 
by  night  and  by  day. 

And  so  it  fortuned  to  him  and  to  Bar- 
tholomy :  for  this  was  the  manner  of  the 
city  whereto  they  were  come,  and  when  it 
was  showed  to  them  they  received  it  to  their 
joy  and  solace.  Then  might  you  have  seen 
them  rising  lively  from  their  beds,  and  going 
forth  under  morning  mist  to  keep  the  daily 
ordinance  :  for  though  the  city  was  thronged 
with  all  manner  of  folk  yet  there  was  but 
one  and  the  same  rule  for  all.  And  they 
rang  bells  at  the  point  of  day,  and  again 
when  they  had  broken  fast :  and  they  rang 
before  noon  and  after,  and  at  evening  and  at 
midnight,  so  that  they  went  never  an  hour 
159 


Al  adore 


without  ringing  of  bells  in  some  part  of  that 
city.  And  they  took  all  their  delight  therein, 
and  when  they  mejt  together,  as  at  board  or 
bench  or  whatsoever  doing,  then  they  would 
have  their  converse  of  bells  and  of  the  com- 
fort they  took  thereby.  For  they  supposed 
that  the  properties  of  bells  were  many  and 
diverse :  and  they  heard  one  bell  for  courage 
and  another  for  meditation,  and  one  for  ruth 
and  another  for  gladness.  And  the  deepest 
they  heard  for  fellowship,  seeing  that  the 
sound  of  it  was  very  great  and  came  into 
every  house  both  near  and  far.  And  in  sum, 
the  life  of  those  which  dwelt  in  that  city 
was  all  to  ring  bells  and  to  hear  them,  and 
to  do  no  other  thing:  and  therefrom  was 
their  sustenance  and  their  repute. 

So  Ywain  went  daily  aringing  with  the 
rest :  and  he  lived  as  it  were  by  sound  alone 
and  thought  to  have  found  peace.  For  his 
sorrow  was  rocked  continually  as  a  child  is 
rocked  in  a  cradle,  and  his  soul  was  stilled 
as  with  a  lullaby. 

1 60 


\ 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

HOW  YWAIN    FOUND    HIS    LADY   IN   A   GARDEN. 

Now  in  this  drowsihood  was  Ywain  living 
well  content :  and  the  winter  passed  over  and 
the  year  began  to  stir  again  from  under 
ground.  And  March  came  with  dust  and 
dryness,  and  then  came  April  with  sweet 
showers  to  pierce  that  dryness,  and  in  the 
gardens  the  small  birds  were  a-pairing  and 
a-nesting  busily.  But  Ywain  was  still  assotted 
upon  bells,  and  his  mind  was  subdued  unto 
the  tune  of  them.  For  he  forgot  neither  his 
love  nor  his  seeking:  but  when  he  should 
have  wept  therefor  he  remembered  them  only 
as  an  old  and  tender  tale,  or  as  a  picture  of 
one  aforetime  living,  but  now  departed  where 
is  neither  hope  nor  striving. 

So  on  a  day  he  walked  alone  in  a  garden 
L  i6i 


Aladore 


of  the  city,  and  heard  a  sweet  sad  peal  of 
bells  chiming,  and  mused  pleasantly  thereon. 
Then  suddenly  he  came  upon  a  lady  that 
was  standing  on  a  sward  of  daisies,  and  she 
stood  between  two  laylock  bushes,  a  purple 
and  a  white,  and  gathered  flowers  of  each. 
And  her  face  was  turned  away  from  Ywain  : 
but  his  blood  moved  at  the  sight  of  her,  and 
he  heard  the  bells  no  longer  for  a  singing 
that  was  in  his  ears. 

Then  the  lady  looked  down  upon  the  flowers 
that  she  had  gathered,  and  Ywain  saw  her 
face  athwart,  over  her  shoulder  j  and  though 
her  eyes  were  hid  from  him  yet  he  saw  well 
that  she  was  his  own  lady.  For  he  knew 
her  by  the  turning  of  her  neck,  and  by  her 
hair,  and  by  her  ear  that  was  like  the  hollow 
of  a  shell :  and  beside  all  these  he  knew  her 
by  a  reason  that  was  no  reason  but  certainty. 
And  he  spoke  to  her  by  her  name :  and  she 
turned  her  about  and  looked  at  him.  And 
he  said  no  more,  for  he  was  astonished 
dumbly,  like  a  man  awakened  out  of  sleep. 
163 


Aladore 


And  she  said  to  him  :  Tell  me  somewhat 
of  your  amazement:  for  what  came  you 
hither  seeking,  if  it  were  not  that  which 
you  have  found?  Then  he  stood  before  her 
stockishly,  like  a  thing  of  wood  :  but  in  his 
heart  he  went  out  of  himself  and  kneeled 
upon  his  knees  before  her.  And  he  said : 
Forgive  me,  for  I  thought  to  find  you,  but 
not  here.  And  as  he  spoke  there  came  into 
his  mind  the  remembrance  of  the  Queen  of 
Chess,  and  of  that  old  dame  among  the 
Maidens,  and  of  the  herd -girl  in  the  wood 
of  Howling :  and  when  he  saw  his  lady  here 
also  and  in  her  proper  shape  he  was  be- 
wildered suddenly.  And  he  looked  at  her  as 
at  one  that  was  past  his  understanding,  and 
he  cried  out  as  in  fear:  What  are  you 
verily  ? 

But  she  looked  at  him  kindly,  and  her 
voice  came  to  him  as  from  a  far  distance, 
and  she  said :  How  shall  I  tell  you  that  which 
I  know  not,  seeing  that  I  have  been  many 
things  in  many  times?  And  he  looked  at 
163 


Alad 


ore 


her  again  and  saw  her  strangely,  as  a  man 
may  see  his  own  home  by  moonlight :  and 
he  cried  out :  Ah !  lady  mine  and  not  mine ! 
For  as  I  think,  you  were  a  rose  in  Eden, 
and  a  golden  child  in  Babylon,  and  a  rain- 
bow in  Arcady,  and  a  moonlight  shadow  on 
the  walls  of  Troy :  and  you  were  loved  of 
Tristram  and  of  Troilus,  and  for  you  Lancelot 
fought  and  Sigurd  rode  the  fire,  and  the 
sons  of  Usnach  died. 

And  when  he  had  so  said  her  voice  came 
nearer  to  him,  and  she  spoke  yet  more 
kindly,  and  she  said :  Yet  for  all  this  I 
am  your  lady  and  your  earthly  friend,  and 
I  have  chosen  you  to  my  servant  and  my 
fellow -pilgrim.  Then  she  smiled  and  said' 
further :  But  there  is  no  pilgrim  that  can 
live  by  sound  alone,  no,  nor  by  ordinance 
•of  others. 

Then  he  said  quickly:   Must  I  forswear  all 

bells  for  ever  ?     And  she  answered  him  :  Not 

so,  but  I  shall  show  you  reason.     And  she  put 

forth  her  hand  and  showed  him  the  flowers 

164 


Aladore 


which  she  had  gathered.  And  she  showed 
him  first  the  purple,  and  she  asked  him : 
How  name  you  this,  and  of  what  colour? 
And  he  said :  It  is  laylock,  and  the  colour  is 
the  colour  of  laylock.  Then  she  showed  him 
the  white  and  asked  him  again  the  same 
question.  And  he  said :  This  also  is  lay- 
lock,  but  the  colour  of  it  is  white.  Then 
she  looked  gladly  at  him  and  a  little  mock- 
ing, and  she  said :  You  have  well  named 
them  both.  And  in  like  manner  the  life  of 
men  is  of  the  colour  of  life,  but  the  life  in 
this  city  is  white,  and  though  it  be  life 
after  a  sort,  and  sweet  enough,  yet  is  it 
no  life  for  a  man.  And  if  it  please  y.ou, 
we  will  take  counsel  together  to  depart  from 
it :  for  we  must  still  be  going  if  we  are  to 
achieve  our  pilgrimage.  But  the  time  is  not 
yet :  for  I  come  and  go  whither  and  whence 
I  will,  but  you  are  bell  -  bound  until  the 
moon  shall  change. 


165 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

HOW   YWAIN   WAS   BIDDEN    TO   AN   ABBEY  AND 
SO   TO    BE    ENTRAPPED    BY   TREASON. 

When  Aithne  had  so  said  she  stood  looking 
upon  Ywain :  and  her  face  was  troubled,  and 
her  soul  looked  out  of  her  eyes  patiently,  as 
it  were  one  waiting  for  the  dawn.  For  she 
was  but  newly  come  from  Aladore,  and  she 
remembered  as  of  yesterday  how  her  mother 
had  spoken  with  her  before  her  death.  And 
of  Ywain  she  knew  well  that  he  was  in  good 
truth  her  friend  and  her  lover:  but  for  the 
rest  she  doubted,  and  in  especial  whether 
he  were  of  one  kind  with  her,  that  they 
might  dwell  together  and  find  no  division. 
And  Ywain  looked  upon  Aithne,  and  he 
also  was  troubled,  but  after  another  fashion : 
1 66 


Aladore 


for  he  doubted  not  of  her,  but  of  him- 
self. 

So  they  stood  looking,  on  the  one  part 
and  on  the  other:  and  they  knew  not  how 
•for  all  their  doubting  their  spirits  were 
already  handfast,  and  devising  of  fellowship 
together.  Nor  they  knew  not  what  was 
being  contrived  against  them  and  against 
their  pilgrimage.  For  they  talked,  as  they 
supposed,  in  secret :  but  in  secret  also  they 
were  betrayed. 

Then  suddenly  there  came  a  little  noise  of 
rustling,  as  of  one  that  went  by  stealth  among 
the  laylock  bushes.  And  Ywain  started  and 
strode  forth  and  looked  along  the  garden : 
and  he  saw  a  man  going  hard  away  from 
him,  and  no  other  near  that  place.  Then 
he  would  have  followed  after  him :  but  the 
going  of  that  man  was  marvellous,  for  he 
went  not  by  leaping  but  by  creeping,  like  a 
lizard  going  among  grass.  So  Ywain  came 
again  to  Aithne,  and  told  her  of  that  which 
he  had  seen :  and  they  laughed  thereat  to- 
167 


Aladore 


gether.  And  Ywain  was  a  little  shamed,  and 
thought  no  more  of  it :  but  Aithne  laid  it  by, 
for  she  perceived  that  there  was  treason. 

Then  they  went  out  from  the  garden,  and 
so  departed  slowly  each  from  other :  and 
they  made  promise  to  come  together  day  by 
day  until  the  third  day  thereafter.  For  on 
the  third  day  at  night  was  the  time  of  the 
moon's  changing,  when  they  should  escape 
out  of  the  City  of  the  Saints.  But  when 
Ywain  thought  thereon  he  could  not  tell  how 
it  might  be  compassed.  And  he  doubted  not 
without '  reason,  seeing  that  he  was  still  in 
subjection.  For  when  he  was  together  with 
Aithne  he  heard  only  her  voice  and  nothing 
else :  but  when  he  was  gone  from  her,  then 
perforce  he  would  follow  the  usage  of  the 
city  and  hear  bells  to  his  pleasure. 

Now  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day, 
when  Ywain  was  not  yet  gone  forth,  there 
came  in  Bartholomy  to  speak  with  him. 
And  he  bade  Ywain  to  a  bell  -  ringing  in  a 
certain  Abbey  of  the  city :  for  he  showed 
i68 


Aladore 


him  how  it  was  that  night  the  festival  of 
the  Golden  Bell.  And  he  said  how  that 
bell  was  rung  but  once  in  the  year,  upon  a 
solemn  watch  -  night :  and  men  were  bidden 
thereto  by  no  common  favour.  Then  Ywain 
answered  Bartholomy  gladly,  and  was  ac- 
corded to  go  with  him.  Then  in  the  same 
moment  he  remembered  Aithne  and  the 
words  which  she  had  spoken :  for  this  was 
the  night  when  the  moon  should  change. 
And  he  would  have  made  excuse  to  forsake 
the  festival :  but  Bartholomy  held  him 
strongly  thereto.  So  Ywain  left  him  alone 
and  went  to  seek  his  lady. 

And  when  he  had  met  with  her,  he  told 
her  all :  and  she  said  to  him :  This  is  the 
treason,  for  he  that  devised  it  is  the  same 
which  heard  me  say  how  you  were  bell- 
bound.  And  the  snare  is  the  festival,  and 
Bartholomy  is  the  decoy:  but  he  that  sent 
him  to  you  is  some  greater  one,  for  it  is  he 
that  has  bidden  you  both.  Then  Ywain  said  : 
It  is  Vincent,  for  he  brought  us  in  hither, 
169 


Aladore 


and  he  crept  upon  us  so  in  the  beginning, 
as  a  cat  creeps  upon  young  birds  at  the 
dusk.  And  it  will  be  hard  for  me  to  escape 
from  him,  for  he  is  of  great  power  in  the 
city. 

But  Aithne  smiled  a  little  and  said :  A 
great  power  and  a  strong  magic :  yet  it  may 
be  that  there  is  a  stronger.  And  the  trial 
shall  be  between  him  and  me :  for  before 
the  moon  changes  I  shall  be  gone  into  the 
Lost  Lands  of  the  South.  And  I  bid  you 
to  my  tryst  as  he  hath  bidden  you  to  his. 


170 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

HOW  THE  MOON  CHANGED,  AND  HOW  YWAIN 
BROKE  FORTH  FROM  THE  CITY  OF  THE 
SAINTS. 

So  when  the  evening  was  come  Ywain  and 
Bartholomy  accompanied  together ;  and  they 
went  through  the  city  darkling,  for  the  moon 
was  now  in  umbrage.  And  when  they  came 
to  the  Abbey  where  was  the  Golden  Bell, 
they  found  a  crowd  gathered  thereabout,  and 
the  gate  well  guarded:  and  within  the  gate 
was  Vincent  with  certain  others.  And  there 
was  a  great  lanthorn  above,  and  when  they 
came  beneath  the  light  of  the  lanthorn 
Vincent  saw  them  who  they  were:  and  he 
greeted     them     and     brought    them    to    the 

Chapel. 

171 


Alad 


ore 


Now  the  manner  of  the  chapel  was  this : 
and  it  was  by  repute  as  proper  a  chapel  as 
any  in  that  city.  For  it  was  thrice  as  long 
as  wide,  and  the  roof  was  of  white  stone, 
high  embowed  and  carven  with  spreading 
ribs.  And  the  walls  were  of  white  stone 
also,  but  overlaid  below  with  cedar  wood : 
and  the  wood  was  ancient  and  empanelled 
with  many  rich  devices.  And  upon  the  walls 
were  canopies  with  carven  tracery  above,  and 
stalls  of  dignity  thereunder :  and  below  the 
stalls  were  other  stalls  and  again  other,  so 
that  there  were  of  them  three  several  rows  on 
this  side  and  on  that.  And  they  which  sat 
therein  were  set  over  against  each  other : 
and  beside  every  man  in  every  stall  there 
was  a  fair  white  candle  burning.  And  with 
the  light  of  those  candles  the  whole  place 
was  lit  and  glorified :  yet  there  was  a  dark- 
ness also  within  it,  for  the  cec^ar  work  was 
wellnigh  black  with  ancientry.  Also  the  floor 
was  of  marble,  lozengy  black  and  white,  and 
in  the  candle-shine  it  glimmered  sombrely. 
172 


Aladore 


So  they  came  within  the  chapel,  and 
Vincent  showed  them  where  they  should  be 
seated.  And  to  Bartholomy  he  showed  a 
seat  among  the  lowest,  but  Ywain  he  set  in 
a  high  stall  beneath  a  canopy,  among  those 
which  were  great  ones  in  the  Abbey  and  in 
the  city.  And  when  he  was  come  to  his 
place  Ywain  looked  adown  the  chapel,  and 
he  saw  how  Vincent  had  bestowed  himself: 
for  he  was  set  fast  by  the  doorway,  on  the 
one  side  of  it,  and  on  the  other  side  was 
set  the  Lord  Abbot  in  his  state. 

Then  when  all  men  were  in  place  the  doors 
were  closed,  both  the  outer  and  the  inner, 
and  the  Lord  Abbot  gave  command  and  the 
Golden  Bell  began  to  ring.  And  at  the 
sound  of  that  bell  the  hearts  of  all  that 
heard  it  were  comforted  exceedingly,  and 
they  folded  their  hands  to  rest :  for  that 
which  they  heard  was  as  a  sweetness  poured 
out  upon  all  things,  whereby  the  wrongs  of 
men  were  hidden  and  their  crying  drowned. 
And  Ywain  also  forgot  in  that  instant  all  the 
173 


Aladore 


ills  that  he  had  suffered  in  all  his  life :  and  of 
the  morrow  he  dreamed  without  desire.  For 
the  fights  wherein  he  had  made  forfeit  and 
the  hopes  which  he  had  never  achieved,  he 
remembered  them  but  with  tenderness,  as 
shames  and  perils  of  childhood,  nothing 
great :  and  in  likewise  he  thought  carelessly 
on  all  that  was  to  come.  And  he  knew 
not  how  long  he  sat  there  musing :  for  the 
blood  lulled  idly  in  his  pulse  as  the  sea 
water  lulls  before  the  turning  of  the  tide. 

Then  upon  a  sudden  his  eyes  opened  and 
he  beheld  a  marvel.  For  over  against  him 
there  came  upon  the  air  the  semblance  of  a 
man's  hand :  and  the  hand  was  great  and 
black,  and  habited  in  a  manch  of  black. 
And  it  came  slowly  along  the  chapel,  by  no 
motion  that  might  be  perceived :  and  as  it 
came  the  lights  perished  dead  before  it  by 
stall  and  by  stall.  And  the  lowest  row  were 
those  which  perished  first,  and  then  those 
next  above  them :  and  last  of  all  the  lights 
that  were  before  the  canopies. 
174 


Aladore 


And  Ywain  knew  not  what  had  befallen 
him,  for  he  felt  in  his  heart  a  lifting  of 
heaviness :  and  he  looked  about  to  see  his 
fellows,  and  when  he  saw  them  he  was 
astonished.  For  they  started  up  stiffly  and 
yet  they  moved  not :  but  they  sat  every  one 
in  his  place  with  his  eyes  staring  and  his 
mouth  misshapen.  And  the  hand  went  to- 
wards Vincent  and  towards  the  Lord  Abbot : 
and  their  lights  also  perished,  and  the  bell 
clanked  brokenly  and  fell  to  silence. 

Then  came  upon  Ywain  both  memory  and 
understanding:  and  joy  leapt  from  within 
him  fiercely,  as  the  tide  leaps  beneath  the 
wind.  And  he  rose  up  and  made  to  go  forth, 
and  they  that  were  near  him  clung  about 
him  and  entreated  him,  for  they  were  in 
terror  of  darkness.  And  he  tossed  them  from 
him  and  came  striding  to  the  door:  and 
Vincent  cried  out  that  all  should  stay  him. 
But  Ywain  said  :  Let  be,  your  light  is  out : 
and  he  smote  him  endlong  and  went  on  and 
left  him  lying.  And  he  came  forth  to  the  gate 
^75 


Aladore 


and  burst  it,  and  the  crowd  stood  without 
wondering.  And  Ywain  saw  them  as  a  city 
of  sluggards  and  slumberers,  dead  before  their 
time :  and  he  cried,  The  Moon  is  changed, 
and  he  went  through  them  as  the  wind  will 
go  through  standing  corn.  And  by  what 
way  he  knew  not  he  came  to  what  gate  he 
recked  not :  and  he  smote  the  porter  with 
his  own  keys  and  went  forth  shouting  into 
the  darkness. 


176 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

HOW  YWAIN  CAME  INTO  THE  LOST  LANDS 
OF  THE  SOUTH,  AND  OF  THREE  SIGNS 
WHEREBY  THAT  COUNTRY  MIGHT  BE 
KNOWN. 

Now  Ywain  had  in  his  going  but  one  only 
intent,  and  that  was  by  reason  of  his  lady's 
word  that  he  should  find  her  in  the  South. 
So  he  ceased  from  his  running  and  his 
shouting,  and  he  looked  upon  the  stars  ; 
and  under  the  Herdsman  he  found  the 
South  and  made  to  go  thitherward.  But 
he  went  not  by  the  way  of  the  high-road : 
for  he  supposed  that  Vincent  and  his  would 
raise  hue  and  cry  after  him.  So  he  left  the 
road  and  climbed  forthright  upon  the  foothills 
that  were  hard  by  the  city.  And  as  he  had 
supposed,  so  he  saw  it  come  about  upon  the 

M  177 


Aladore 


road  beneath  him :  for  there  issued  suddenly 
out  of  the  gateway  both  lanthorns  and  torches, 
Hke  a  scattering  of  sparks  out  of  a  chimney. 
And  they  which  bore  them  ran  hither  and 
thither  both  up  and  down  the  road,  bawling 
and  babbling  in  the  worst  manner :  for  their 
voices  were  harsh  to  hear,  and  out  of  all  tune 
of  bells.  And  Ywain  sat  above  and  beheld 
them  unaware :  and  all  their  fury  was  by 
reason  only  that  one  had  forsaken  their 
ordinance. 

Then  he  left  them  to  their  hunting,  and 
climbed  further  above  the  foothills  :  and  he 
went  all  night  to  the  Southward  by  starlight 
only.  And  when  the  cold  of  dawn  was  past 
then  the  sun  shone  warmly  upon  him  :  and  a 
shepherd  gave  him  milk  and  bread  to  break 
fast,  and  he  lay  long  thereafter  in  a  hollow  of 
the  hills.  And  about  him  was  much  blossom 
of  wild  flowers,  and  upon  the  blossom  came  a 
million  of  bees,  some  great  and  some  small, 
and  every  one  of  them  droning  busily  upon  his 
bagpipes :  and  also  below  that  place  was  a 
meadow  of  sheep  with  many  lambs  bleating. 
178 


Aladore 


And  Ywain  had  joy  of  those  beasts  and  of 
their  droning  and  their  bleating :  for  whether 
he  slept  or  wakened  the  sound  of  them  was  in 
his  ears  and  in  his  blood. 

Then  at  the  dusk  he  set  forth  again,  and  so 
he  went  nine  nights  and  days :  for  always  he 
voyaged  by  night  and  slept  by  day,  because  of 
espial.  But  on  the  ninth  night  he  came  into 
the  lands  which  Aithne  named  to  him,  for  she 
named  them  the  Lost  Lands  of  the  South  ; 
and  when  he  was  come  therein  he  knew  them 
by  a  sign,  and  the  sign  whereby  he  knew  them 
was  the  third  of  three. 

For  when  he  first  came  into  those  lands  it 
was  evening,  and  not  long  past  moonrise  :  and 
notwithstanding  that  all  day  he  had  taken  joy 
of  the  sun  and  of  the  noise  of  beasts  and  birds, 
yet  now  he  had  no  less  joy  of  the  coolness  and 
the  silence.  And  he  strode  forward  upon  the 
shoulders  of  the  hills,  going  swiftly  and 
strongly  :  for  the  moon  was  now  waxing  fast, 
and  the  light  of  her  lightened  the  green  spaces 
of  the  grass. 

Then  as  he  went  his  eyes  also  were  light- 
179 


Aladore 


ened,  and  he  saw  the  world  anew.  For  he 
perceived  how  that  the  beauty  of  it  was  of  no 
fading  excellence,  but  only  by  long  time  for- 
gotten :  and  belike  remembered  again  and 
again  forgotten  many  times,  according  as  men 
made  clean  their  hearts  or  darkened  them. 
And  he  saw  that  land  as  a  land  of  gods  and 
not  of  men  only :  and  though  he  saw  not  the 
gods  nor  heard  them,  yet  he  perceived  plainly 
both  their  radiance  and  their  breathing. 

Then  in  his  joy  he  gave  thanks  to  the  Moon, 
as  to  the  Queen  of  Heaven :  for  he  knew  no 
longer  what  he  did.  And  immediately  he  saw 
before  him  an  upland  all  hoar  in  moonlight : 
for  upon  the  sides  of  it  there  was  a  semblance 
as  of  mist  rising.  Yet  was  that  semblance  no 
mist,  for  it  moved  swiftly  without  wind :  and 
Ywain  looked  again  and  saw  it  as  a  company 
of  maidens  dancing  together.  And  their  attire 
was  all  of  cloudy  silk,  and  their  feet  were 
bright  as  with  ten  thousand  dew  drops :  and 
their  hair  was  whirled  about  them  like  wisps 
of  smoke.     And  it  seemed  to  Ywain  that  they 


Aladore 


danced  so  lightly  as  no  thing  living,  save 
music  only  :  for  that  will  dance  lightly  without 
sound  in  the  imagination  of  the  heart. 

And  Ywain  knew  not  the  dancers  nor  how 
they  might  be  named :  but  I  suppose  that 
they  were  of  the  hill  maidens,  which  were  of 
old  time  called  by  the  name  of  Oreads.  And 
it  is  like  enough  that  they  which  he  saw  were 
the  same :  for  their  beauty  also  was  of  the 
earth  but  nowise  transitory.  And  Ywain 
beheld  their  dancing  gladly  and  kept  no  count 
of  time ;  for  as  he  stood  the  Moon  passed  over 
him  and  went  Southing,  and  he  marked  her 
not.  But  at  the  last  they  danced  more 
quickly,  and  with  the  sight  of  them  his  blood 
began  to  work  :  and  he  endured  it  not  long, 
but  he  went  running  towards  the  upland. 
And  as  he  ran  the  maidens  whirled  them 
thrice  into  the  air,  and  so  sank  down :  and 
Ywain  saw  them  no  more,  for  the  earth 
received  them,  and  the  hill  lay  bare  before 
him. 

Then  he  took  his  way  Southward  and 
i8i 


Alad 


ore 


looked  again  upon  the  moon :  and  the  silver 
of  her  beam  was  faded,  and  the  sable  of  her 
shadows,  for  she  was  well-nigh  drowned  in 
dawn.  And  when  the  day  was  risen  he  began 
to  go  more  wearily :  for  in  those  lands  the 
sun  was  nearer  and  bore  hard  upon  the  way- 
farers. And  within  a  fair  mile  he  saw  a  wood 
before  him :  and  the  wood  was  full  of  great 
ilex  -  trees,  with  laurels  shining  about  the 
margent  of  it.  And  he  devised  to  go  therein, 
by  reason  of  the  shade  and  coolness. 

But  when  he  was  come  thither  he  clean 
forgot  his  weariness :  and  he  perceived  that 
the  wood  was  no  lonely  place  but  full  of 
magic.  For  when  he  looked  he  saw  nothing 
stirring :  but  when  he  looked  not  then  always 
he  perceived  a  stirring  or  a  flitting  or  a  vanish- 
ing on  the  one  side  or  on  the  other.  And  he 
walked  no  more  freely,  but  warily,  by  reason 
of  the  eyes  and  ears  that  were  about  him : 
yet  he  saw  neither  eyes  nor  ears  to  give  him 
reason. 

Then  at  the  last  he  came  again  to  open 
182 


Aladore 


ground,  and  he  laid  him  down  upon  the  edge 
of  it  within  the  shadow  of  the  wood  :  and  he 
took  his  rest  and  thought  to  be  there  alone. 
But  within  a  while  he  returned  into  his  rest- 
lessness :  for  he  heard  a  sighing  as  of  a  little 
wind  that  came  quickly  and  went  past  him 
and  so  along  the  hillside  upwards.  And  in 
the  passing  of  the  wind  he  saw  as  it  were  three 
damsels  running  swiftly  one  after  another. 
And  as  they  ran  his  eyes  were  dazed  with 
the  beauty  of  them  and  his  wits  stood  still 
and  the  whole  world  moved  about  him.  And 
he  got  him  to  his  feet  and  laid  his  hand  upon 
his  eyes :  and  when  he  had  covered  his  eyes 
then  he  remembered  how  he  had  seen  those 
damsels  plainly.  For  they  were  tall  and 
slender  of  form  and  clear  brown  of  colour: 
and  they  were  arrayed  all  in  green  and  gold 
like  young  boughs  in  sunlight.  Also  they  ran 
smoothly  as  a  full  river  will  run  towards  a 
weir. 

Then  he  lifted  his  eyes  and  looked  again : 
and  he  saw  them  and  saw  them  not.     For  the 
183 


Aladore 


place  was  still  and  no  thing  moved  upon  it : 
but  under  the  sun  were  three  trees  there  before 
him.  And  the  trees  were  by  seeming  three 
laurels  windy-blown :  for  they  leaned  a  little 
forward  one  after  another,  and  their  greenery 
went  all  one  way,  as  it  were  streaming  up  the 
hillside.  And  Ywain  supposed  that  in  the 
dazzle  of  his  eyes  he  had  seen  the  trees  and 
taken  them  for  damsels :  yet  he  looked  long 
upon  them  as  though  perchance  they  were 
damsels  indeed,  and  trees  by  semblance  only. 
So  he  went  forward  pondering,  and  this  time 
also  he  knew  not  that  it  was  a  sign  which  he 
had  seen. 

Then  he  began  to  leave  the  high  hills,  and 
he  came  into  a  little  downland  with  downs 
that  tumbled  divers  ways.  And  it  was  a  bare 
land,  but  warm  and  rich :  and  in  the  valleys 
were  cots  with  corn  about  them,  and  rivers 
going  softly  in  deep  meadows.  And  as  he 
went  he  saw  before  him  a  beechen  grove  with 
seven  trees  therein  :  and  the  grove  was  lonely 
and  clear  of  boskage,  and  it  seemed  to  Ywain 
184 


Alad 


ore 


that  he  had  sight  of  children  playing  between 
the  trees.  So  he  came  nearer,  going  slow  and 
craftily:  and  he  stood  behind  the  endmost 
tree  and  looked  through  the  grove,  for  it  was 
but  little.  And  that  which  he  saw  was  pass- 
ing strange  to  him :  for  the  children  were 
there  before  him,  and  the  like  of  them  he  saw 
never  in  all  his  days.  Naked  they  were  and 
manlike  to  the  middle, — in  their  flesh  fat  and 
in  their  countenance  all  merry  babes :  but 
below  they  were  of  another  fashion,  for  their 
hams  were  wool-begrown  and  they  were  goat- 
kneed  and  goat-footed.  Also  their  hair  upon 
their  heads  was  woolly  and  their  ears  were 
pointed  and  a-prick  like  little  horns.  And  it 
was  plain  to  see  that  they  were  kin  to  the 
beasts  and  of  them  well  understanded :  for 
one  child  held  a  squirrel  between  his  hands, 
and  the  squirrel  feared  not,  but  kept  his  tail 
a-high ;  and  one  sat  piping  to  a  company  of 
small  fowls,  which  also  sat  and  piped  to  him. 
But  there  was  yet  another  child  fast  by,  which 
vexed  the  piper  with  a  barley  straw :  and  he 
185 


Aladore 


ceased    not   for    his    brother's   frowning,   but 
tickled  him  evilly  amidst  his  ear. 

Then  when  Ywain  saw  those  babes  and 
their  playing  his  thoughts  left  him  and  for- 
getfulness  and  joy  came  upon  him  very  sud- 
denly, and  his  heart  was  delivered  of  a  great 
laughter.  And  that  laughter  went  rolling 
forth  from  him  as  smoke  goes  rolling  from 
a  fire  of  green  wood,  and  like  smoke  it  was 
renewed  continually,  bursting  thickly  forth 
without  end.  And  the  children  heard  it  and 
ceased  from  their  playing:  yet  it  brought  no 
fear  upon  them,  neither  upon  the  beasts  that 
were  their  fellows.  For  the  squirrel  chat- 
tered and  the  small  fowls  piped  more  loudly, 
and  the  children  also  wantoned  in  laughter, 
and  rolled  upon  the  ground  together :  and 
when  they  came  upon  their  feet  again  they 
spied  Ywain  and  cried  out  joyously  upon  him, 
and  they  ran  against  him  with  their  heads 
and  blethered  after  the  manner  of  kids.  And 
when  Ywain  felt  the  butting  of  their  heads 
and  the  busyness  of  their  hands  about  him 
then  there  came  before  his  eyes  a  haze  of 
i86 


Aladore 


brightness,  so  that  he  saw  the  world  as  it 
were  golden  and  gleaming,  and  it  seemed  to 
him  that  he  had  returned  into  the  morning 
of  his  youth. 

Then  with  his  much  laughter  his  strength 
went  from  him,  and  for  content  he  sighed  and 
so  laid  him  down  upon  the  ground :  and  the 
children  sat  them  beside  him  and  tumbled 
one  with  another.  And  as  they  sported  and 
tumbled  together  it  bechanced  that  one  of 
them  struck  Ywain  with  his  foot :  and  Ywain 
started  a  little,  for  the  kick  was  notable.  And 
he  perceived  right  well  the  reason :  for  he  saw 
again  the  child's  foot,  how  it  was  small  and 
hard  like  the  hoof  of  a  goat.  And  instantly 
his  thought  quickened  that  before  had  been 
sleeping :  and  he  knew  the  land  whereto  he 
had  come.  For  this  was  the  third  sign,  and 
sign  past  doubting :  howbeit  the  first  two 
were  also  signs  and  plain  enough.  But  what 
he  perceived  not  by  Oreads  and  by  Dryads, 
that  he  learned  easily  by  Fauns :  for  of  those 
he  had  but  vision  of  the  eyes,  but  with  these 
there  came  also  kicking  of  the  flesh. 
187 


CH|APTER    XXX. 

HOW   YWAIN    HAD    FELLOWSHIP   WITH    THE 

FAUNS. 

So  Ywain  lay  there  upon  the  earth,  and  his 
laughter  ebbed  from  him :  and  he  set  him  to 
gather  his  wits  together  as  a  huntsman  gathers 
his  hounds  that  have  been  chasing  over  wide. 
And  in  part  he  gathered  them  but  not  all : 
for  it  seemed  that  some  part  of  him  was  be- 
yond calling  and  would  not  return.  But  of 
that  he  left  thinking,  and  was  content :  and 
his  heart  was  emptied  of  all  thoughts  save 
three  only.  For  he  had  great  desire  of  eating 
and  of  fellowship  and  of  dancing :  and  the 
sun  filled  him  with  strength  and  the  air  quiv- 
ered before  his  eyes,  and  he  leaped  up  upon 
his  feet. 


Aladore 


Then  he  looked  down  between  the  beechen 
boles  and  saw  where  other  two  fauns  came 
swiftly  up  the  hill,  leaping  towards  him  with 
great  leaps :  and  they  were  no  children  but 
goatmen  grown  with  little  beards  upon  their 
faces.  And  he  stood  still  to  meet  with  them, 
for  he  knew  not  what  their  dealing  might  be : 
but  they  came  joyously  to  him  and  favoured 
him  with  their  hands  and  with  their  looks  and 
with  their  voices.  And  when  they  had  greeted 
him  they  began  to  lead  him  away  into  the 
valley :  and  Ywain  went  with  them  gladly  and 
the  children  followed  after,  lagging  and  sport- 
ing one  with  another. 

And  as  they  went  Ywain  beheld  the  grown 
fauns  curiously  :  and  he  saw  how  one  was  by 
seeming  older  and  one  younger,  as  it  might 
be  two  youths  of  eighteen  year  and  twenty. 
Yet  their  faces  were  not  two  but  one,  for  they 
were  made  after  one  and  the  same  pattern : 
and  they  differed  in  no  wise  save  in  the  hair 
of  their  beards.  For  of  one  the  beard  was 
soft  and  like  the  down  within  the  rose-hips, 
189 


Alad 


ore 


and  of  the  other  it  was  hard  and  like  the 
beards  of  barley.  But  in  their  lips  and  in 
their  eyes  was  nothing  diverse,  and  Ywain 
saw  them  as  a  man  may  see  one  only  face 
in  two  several  mirrors :  also  their  voices 
chanted  together  tuneably,  like  voices  of 
young  sheep  in  a  flock. 

And  they  showed  Ywain  how  they  were 
called :  for  they  pointed  each  at  other  and 
so  named  their  names,  and  the  older  one  was 
called  Panikos  and  the  younger  one  was 
called  Paniskos.  Then  Ywain  spoke  their 
names  and  laughed  and  he  showed  them  his 
own  name  also :  and  he  laughed  again,  for 
they  used  it  strangely,  bleating  somewhat  in 
their  speech.  Then  in  the  like  manner  they 
showed  him  other  words,  and  he  learned  of 
them  easily :  for  they  spoke  of  no  far  matters 
but  only  of  such  as  were  according  with  his 
appetite.  And  in  especial  they  spoke  of  eat- 
ing and  of  drinking  and  of  music :  and  also, 
as  he  supposed,  of  hunting  and  of  sleeping. 
And  though  Ywain  knew  not  yet  what  they 
190 


Aladore 


would  say  concerning  these  things,  yet  he 
knew  certainly  that  they  spoke  thereof.  And 
he  perceived  their  joy,  and  had  fellowship 
with  them  :  for  he  saw  how  they  lived  far 
off  from  carefulness  and  perplexity,  and  how 
their  life  was  mingled  continually  with  the 
beauty  of  the  earth. 


191 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

HOW  YWAIN  MET  WITH  A  SHEPHERDESS  AND 
HEARD  A  MUSIC,  AND  HOW  HE  HAD 
SIGHT    OF    ALADORE    THE    FIRST    TIME. 

Thus  began  Ywain  to  be  consorted  with 
fauns,  and  to  live  after  their  manner:  and 
he  slept  with  them  that  night  in  a  little 
wildwood  fast  by  a  river.  And  before  they 
slept  they  gave  him  to  eat  of  such  things  as 
they  had :  and  truly  his  supper  was  no  feast. 
For  the  fauns  live  all  by  nuts  and  by  grains, 
and  have  no  bread :  also  they  will  taste  flesh 
but  they  know  not  the  use  of  fire.  So  on  the 
morrow  early  they  caught  a  good  fish  and 
tore  it :  and  when  they  perceived  that  Ywain 
loved  not  raw  meat,  then  they  had  pity  on 
him.  And  they  left  the  river  and  brought 
192 


Aladore 


him  to  a  shepherd's  hut,  and  they  made  him 
understand  that  he  should  go  nearer  and 
knock  upon  the  door.  For  they  knew  that 
where  there  were  men,  there  behke  would 
be  men's  meat,  whether  of  bread  or  of 
flesh. 

So  Ywain  came  to  the  hut,  and  knocked 
upon  the  door :  but  he  heard  no  voice  within. 
And  when  he  would  have  knocked  again  a 
second  time  he  dared  not :  for  he  knew  that 
there  stood  one  within  and  listened  silently. 
Then  he  devised  to  speak  instead  of  to  knock : 
and  he  spoke  the  greeting  of  a  pilgrim,  humbly. 
And  while  he  was  yet  speaking  the  door  was 
opened,  and  there  was  there  a  young  shep- 
herdess standing  upon  the  threshold.  And 
when  he  saw  her  his  heart  began  to  beat 
furiously :  and  the  beating  of  it  upon  his  ribs 
was  like  the  galloping  of  a  horse  upon  a  green 
road.  For  the  shepherdess  stood  looking  at 
him  out  of  youth  and  fearfulness :  but  the 
face  was  the  face  of  his  lady  and  of  no 
woman  else. 

N  193 


Aladore 


Then  his  voice  changed,  and  he  spoke 
again  to  her  trembling:  but  she  nodded  with 
her  head  and  answered  not.  And  she  put 
forth  her  hand  to  bring  him  in,  and  he  per- 
ceived that  it  was  brown  and  hard,  and  he 
looked  again  and  saw  how  her  face  also  was 
brown  as  with  the  burning  of  one  summer 
upon  another.  Then  he  said  within  himself: 
My  lady  was  never  so :  yet  if  this  be  not  her 
body  it  is  her  soul,  and  in  all  her  shapes  I 
am  to  serve  and  follow  her. 

Then  the  shepherdess  gave  him  to  eat :  and 
that  which  she  gave  him  was  no  rich  man's 
portion.  But  without  doubt  she  changed  it 
in  the  giving:  for  the  bread  was  fine  bread 
between  his  teeth,  and  the  flesh  was  as  the 
flesh  of  swans  and  peacocks.  And  while  he 
ate  she  looked  upon  him,  and  he  also  looked 
upon  her :  and  he  ate  but  little  by  reason  of 
his  looking  and  his  delight.  And  when  she 
perceived  this  she  forsook  him  suddenly  and 
went  out :  and  immediately  his  hunger  in- 
creased upon  him  and  he  dealt  shortly  with 
194 


Aladore 


all  that  she  had  given  him.  Then  she  came 
again  suddenly,  and  looked  upon  the  bare 
board,  and  laughed :  but  in  all  this  time  she 
spoke  not  one  word,  so  that  Ywain  marvelled 
and  was  some  deal  discomfited. 

Then  he  called  her  by  her  name,  Aithne : 
but  thereto  she  shook  her  head  and  continued 
saying  no  word.  And  he  said  to  her  :  What 
do  you  in  this  place,  and  by  what  name  shall 
I  call  you  ?  And  again  she  answered  not,  but 
she  took  two  shepherd's  crooks  that  stood  be- 
hind the  door  of  the  hut,  and  one  of  them 
she  kept  and  one  she  gave  into  his  hand,  and 
so  led  him  forth.  And  they  came  together 
to  the  sheepstead  and  untied  the  wattled 
cotes,  and  loosed  the  sheep :  and  together 
they  went  hillward  in  the  cool  of  the 
morning. 

Now  as  they  went  together  Ywain  looked 
about  him,  and  he  saw  the  fauns  that  were 
his  friends :  and  they  stood  beside  the  valley 
road  in  a  place  whereto  Ywain  should  come 
presently.  And  he  called  to  them  joyfully, 
195 


Aladore 


and  they  heard  him  calling  :  so  that  he  hoped 
they  would  have  stayed  for  him.     But  when 
he  was  now  within  a  pitch  of  them,  he  saw 
how  they  were  suddenly  gone  away :  for  they 
ran  swiftly  from  him  towards  their  wildwood, 
and  the  reeds  of  the  river  hid  them  as  they 
ran.     Yet   they  went  not  with   one   mind  or 
one  fear :  for  one  of  them  stayed  in  his  run- 
ning and  returned.     And  Ywain  had  sight  of 
him  among  the  willows,  peering  with  bright 
eyes :  and  he  perceived  that  he  was  stealing 
fast  upon  them,  and  going  from  tree  to  tree. 
And  when   they  were   at   the  turning  of  the 
road,  where   they  must   leave  the  valley  and 
go  upon  the  hill,  then  the  reeds  rustled  and 
crackled  beside  the  road :  and  the  faun  broke 
forth  suddenly  upon  them,  and  he  was  that 
one  that  was  the  younger  of  the  two.     And 
he  looked  no  more  upon  Ywain  but  upon  the 
shepherdess  only:   and  he  stooped  down  and 
took  her  hand  and  nosed  in  it  lovingly  as  a 
deer  will  nose  in  the  hand  of  her  that  feeds 
him.     And  Ywain  spoke  to  -him  by  his  name  : 
196 


Alad 


ore 


but  thereat  he  started  up  and  went  leaping 
after  his  fellow,  and  rustling  like  a  wind 
among  the  reeds. 

Then  the  shepherdess  led  Ywain  forth  upon 
the  hill,  and  behind  them  was  the  river  and 
before  them  was  the  little  beechen  grove. 
And  they  came  to  the  grove  and  sat  within 
the  shade  of  it  and  looked  over  the  valley : 
and  the  sheep  went  cropping  the  wild  thyme 
and  the  milkwort,  and  clanking  pleasantly 
with  their  bells.  And  the  shepherdess  looked 
downward  upon  Ywain,  for  he  lay  before  her 
at  her  feet :  and  he  turned  and  looked  upward 
into  her  eyes.  And  as  he  looked  the  day  went 
over  him  in  a  moment  of  time,  between  two 
beats  of  his  heart :  and  he  lacked  speech  of 
her  no  longer,  for  he  dreamed  under  her 
silence  as  a  man  may  dream  under  a  starry 
night. 

Then  she  rose  and  led  him  again  down- 
ward :  and  the  sheep  went  down  before  them 
to  the  river,  and  fell  to  drinking  greedily. 
And  as  they  drank  the  wind  of  evening  came 
197 


Aladore 


softly  down  the  stream,  and  upon  it  came  a 
sound  of  piping :  and  Ywain's  heart  ached 
to  hear  that  piping,  for  it  was  of  a  sad  and 
piercing  sweetness.  Then  his  feet  began  to 
move  beneath  him,  and  he  left  the  sheep  to 
their  drinking  and  went  toward  the  music. 
And  he  came  to  a  glassy  pool  among  the 
rocks :  and  upon  the  rocks  was  the  young 
faun  sitting,  and  playing  on  his  pipes,  and 
under  his  feet  was  the  evening  sky,  shown 
clearly  upon  the  water  of  the  pool. 

And  Ywain  came  near,  for  the  music  drew 
him  strongly :  and  he  stood  and  looked  upon 
the  pool,  and  he  saw  the  sky  therein.  And 
he  saw  it  not  as  sky  but  as  a  great  region 
of  the  sea :  for  the  clouds  upon  it  were  like 
lands  of  earth,  and  they  lay  there  after  the 
fashion  of  bays  and  heads  and  islands.  And 
there  was  a  coast  that  lay  fast  by  him,  as  it 
were  beneath  his  very  feet :  and  it  ran  to  the 
right  of  him  and  to  the  left,  and  beyond  it 
was  the  void  space  of  the  sea.  And  as  he 
looked  upon  the  coast  he  knew  it  well :  for 
198 


Aladore 


he  stood  by  seeming  upon  the  High  Steep 
of  Paladore,  and  looked  out  over  the  Shep- 
herdine  Sands. 

Then  with  the  beauty  of  the  place  he  fell 
to  longing,  and  because  of  the  music  that 
he  heard  his  heart  was  restless :  and  he 
desired  greatly  to  be  seeking  for  the  land 
wherefrom  that  music  came.  And  in  a 
moment  it  was  there  before  him,  beyond 
the  void  space  of  the  sea.  And  the  form  of 
it  was  as  the  form  of  Paladore,  with  the 
city  and  the  steep  all  fashioned  out  of  cloud : 
but  it  lay  lonely  and  far  out,  like  an  island 
of  the  West.  And  a  light  was  upon  it  more 
delectable  than  all  the  lights  of  sunset,  so 
that  it  seemed  to  burn  also  in  the  eyes  of 
him  that  saw  it :  and  the  light  and  the  music 
increased  together,  and  together  they  faded 
and  ceased.  And  when  they  ceased  Ywain 
turned  him  aside  to  weep,  for  he  perceived 
that  he  was  homeless. 

But  as  he  turned  he  saw  his  lady  beside 
him  standing,  and  she  spoke  and  called  him 
199 


Aladore 


by  his  name  as  one  that  knew  him  afresh  and 
was  no  more  bedumbed.  And  he  cast  himself 
into  her  arms  and  kissed  her:  for  he  knew 
that  he  had  had  sight  of  no  earthly  city  but 
of  Aladore.  Then  he  looked  again  upon  the 
pool,  if  by  fortune  he  might  see  that  city 
again :  and  he  saw  but  a  ripple  on  the  water, 
for  with  his  hoof  the  faun  had  dabbled  it. 


200 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

HOW  YWAIN  LIVED  AS  IT  HAD  BEEN  IN  THE 
GOLDEN  AGE  AND  HOW  HE  WAS  STILL 
UNSATISFIED. 

Right  so  came  the  night  and  they  got  them 
homeward.  And  Aithne  went  to  her  hut, 
where  she  had  her  living  among  the  shep- 
herds, but  Ywain  returned  and  rested  with 
the  fauns.  And  he  slept  not,  but  lay  a  great 
time  waking,  and  longing  for  the  morrow 
morn  :  whereby  he  hastened  it  not,  but  delayed 
it  rather.  And  this  is  the  folly  of  men  that 
they  will  look  ever  forward  to  that  which  they 
have  not,  and  take  no  rest  in  that  which 
they  have.  For  Ywain  had  that  day  gathered 
to  fill  both  his  hands  —  namely,  by  seeing 
Aladore  and  by  taking  of  his  lady  in  arms : 

20I 


Aladore 


and  in  a  long  life  there  will  come  but  few 
such  days,  so  that  it  were  wisdom  to  cherish 
them  in  memory.  But  Ywain  remembered 
scantly  that  which  was  past  and  gathered, 
for  his  mind  was  all  on  the  kisses  that  were 
to  come :  and  folly  it  was  past  gainsaying, 
but  of  such  folly  is  the  life  of  man. 

So  he  lay  longing,  and  arose  in  hope,  and 
continued  many  days  after  the  same  gait. 
And  his  desire  fled  still  before  him,  and  he 
followed  and  thought  not  on  the  way  of  his 
going:  for  to  him  one  day  was  like  another, 
and  one  night  was  like  another,  and  he 
counted  them  no  more  than  a  child  will 
count  the  beads  upon  a  string.  But  Aithne 
counted  them  and  laid  them  by,  and  when 
she  counted  them  she  trembled.  For  she  also 
would  have  him  gone  on  pilgrimage,  seeing 
that  so  only  might  she  meet  with  her  love 
in  Aladore :  but  many  times  she  said  within 
herself:  Not  yet,  poor  lady  me,  for  none 
knows  what  may  fortune,  and  belike  this  is 
all  that  shall  be  mine. 
202 


Aladore 


Now  the  manner  of  their  days  was  after 
the  manner  of  the  Golden  Days.  For  their 
meeting  was  in  the  freshness  of  the  morning, 
when  all  things  are  made  new :  and  they  ate 
and  drank  together  with  few  words,  and 
between  them  was  a  bowl  of  milk,  and  over 
it  they  laughed  one  at  another  with  their 
eyes.  For  about  the  bowl  was  a  thread  of 
scarlet  wool,  and  Ywain  knew  well  for  what 
reason  it  was  there :  yet  would  he  ask  many 
times  for  asking's  sake.  And  Aithne  said 
how  it  was  there  of  great  necessity :  for  she 
set  it  there  to  be  a  witchknot,  to  draw  her 
love  to  her  by  shepherd's  magic.  Then  many 
times  he  broke  the  thread  and  cast  it  on  the 
ground,  and  always  when  he  came  again  the 
knot  was  freshly  knotted  upon  the  bowl.  So 
out  of  nothing  they  made  much,  after  the 
old  fashion. 

Then  with  their  sheep  they  took  the  road, 

and  came  thence  upon  the  upland  pastures. 

And  while   the   day   was   yet   cool   they  two 

went  wandering  alone,  and  marvelling  at  all 

303 


Alad 


ore 


the  diverse  flowers  upon  the  hills.  But  when 
the  sun  was  overhead  and  the  air  began  to 
tremble  upon  the  rocks,  then  beneath  a  little 
cliff  they  found  a  spring  of  water  flowing  out 
continually  and  sparkling  like  crystal  above 
the  pebbles.  And  thereby  grew  tall  fir-trees, 
and  white  poplars,  and  cypresses  and  planes, 
and  on  the  branches  the  cicalas  were  chir- 
ruping, all  sunburnt,  and  the  ring-doves 
were  moaning  one  to  another  of  love.  And 
below  them  were  many  flowers  of  fragrance, 
such  as  fill  the  meadows  in  the  heyday  of 
the  year  before  it  wanes :  and  all  the  land 
smelt  sweetly  of  summer,  and  the  wild  bees 
went  booming  about  the  water  springs. 

And  thither  came  Ywain  to  his  shepherd- 
ing and  he  forgot  the  world  as  though  it  had 
never  been.  For  he  remembered  neither  land 
nor  gold,  nor  his  old  fame  among  men  :  but 
he  sat  with  his  love  beneath  a  rock  and  held 
her  in  his  arms,  and  they  murmured  one  to 
another,  and  watched  their  sheep  feeding 
among  the  thyme.  And  when  it  drew  towards 
204 


Aladore 


evening  then  they  came  downward  from  the 
hill,  and  listened  to  hear  the  young  faun's 
music :  for  among  the  fauns  there  is  not  one 
that  dare  pipe  at  noon,  but  at  evening  they 
will  pipe  without  fear.  And  when  there  was 
a  sound  of  music  then  Ywain  came  always 
to  the  glassy  pool,  hoping  that  he  might 
have  sight  of  Aladore.  And  when  the  pool 
was  still  he  saw  it,  for  the  piping  of  the  faun 
was  of  a  strong  magic,  beyond  all  under- 
standing of  him  that  made  it,  as  happens  many 
times  to  them  that  make  music.  But  Ywain 
had  of  that  magic  more  pain  than  joy :  for 
the  vision  which  he  saw  thereby  was  of  no 
substantial  city,  but  an  image  made  in  water. 
And  to  find  that  city  in  truth  his  heart  was 
restless  with  desire,  for  he  knew  that  except 
he  came  there  he  might  have  neither  fulness 
of  love,  neither  abiding. 


205 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

OF  THE  MADNESS  OF  THE  FAUNS,  AND  HOW 
YWAIN  FORSOOK  THEM  SUDDENLY,  AND 
HIS    LADY   WITH    HIM. 

Moreover  when  midsummer  was  now  come 
Ywain  began  to  misdoubt  him  of  the  fauns: 
for  from  gentle  they  were  become  fierce,  and 
when  he  saw  their  eyes  he  saw  them  changed, 
as  a  sky  that  is  hot  with  thunder.  Also  they 
departed  from  him  continually,  both  by  night 
and  by  day,  and  he  saw  how  they  went  wander- 
ing alone  and  secretly:  and  when  they  went 
forth  they  went  as  it  were  ravening  like 
beasts,  and  when  they  came  again  they  came 
weary  and  shamed  before  him,  as  with  the 
shame  of  men,  for  in  their  nature  they  were 
divided  between  two  kinds. 

Then   upon   a   night   it  fortuned  to  Ywain 
206 


Aladore 


that  his  sleep  was  broken,  because  of  the 
moonlight  that  crept  upon  him.  And  at 
the  last  he  awoke  utterly,  and  in  the  moon- 
light he  saw  the  young  faun  beside  him 
sleeping,  but  the  old  one  he  saw  not,  for  he 
was  plainly  slunk  away.  And  Ywain  took 
but  little  heed  of  him,  as  at  this  time,  for 
his  own  head  was  weary  and  he  had  yet  no 
comfort  of  the  night.  So  he  turned  him  and 
lay  still  again  and  thought  to  sleep. 

But  as  he  lay  there  came  a  sound  from 
far  off,  like  the  cry  of  one  that  shrieks 
suddenly  in  fear.  And  with  that  sound  Ywain 
also  was  affrighted,  and  his  heart  stood  still, 
and  he  held  his  breath  to  listen.  And  there 
was  silence  for  a  space,  and  he  said :  It  is 
an  evil  dream,  for  it  is  long  since  that  cry 
was  in  my  ears.  And  therewith  the  cry  came 
again,  louder  than  before,  and  Ywain  per- 
ceived that  the  voice  was  the  voice  of  a 
woman :  and  he  started  up  and  leaned  upon 
his  hand,  and  the  sweat  pricked  him  sud- 
denly among  the  roots  of  his  hair.  And  the 
young  faun  also  started  up  out  of  sleep  and 


Aladore 


stood  before  Ywain  listening :  and  Ywain  saw 
his  eyes  that  glittered  under  the  moon,  and 
his  mouth  that  grinned  and  trembled,  as  a 
dog's  mouth  grins  before  he  bites. 

Then  the  crying  came  again  the  third  time, 
and  continued  more  and  more,  and  it  was  by 
seeming  nearer,  as  of  one  running  and  cry- 
ing upon  the  hillside;  and  Ywain  thought 
to  know  the  place,  and  he  leapt  upon  his 
feet  to  go  thither.  But  when  he  would  have 
gone  he  could  not,  for  the  young  faun  cast 
his  arms  about  Ywain's  knees  and  held  him 
fast.  And  Ywain  looked  down  upon  him  and 
was  astonished,  for  aforetime  he  had  seen 
him  as  a  thing  young  and  tameable,  and  of 
a  nature  softer  than  the  nature  of  men.  But 
now  he  saw  the  teeth  of  him  and  heard  the 
growling:  and  therewith  a  red  hatred  came 
upon  Ywain,  and  his  heart  swelled  up  to  burst- 
ing, and  he  fell  upon  the  faun  and  beat  him 
with  fists  upon  the  head.  But  the  faun  loosed 
him  not  for  all  that,  nor  ceased  not  from  his 
mirth,  and  they  two  rolled  upon  the  ground 
and  fought  together,  the  one  grinning  always 
208 


Aladore 


and  the  other  sobbing,  for  Ywain  wept  fiercely 
with  rage  to  be  so  hindered. 

Then  at  the  last  he  caught  the  faun  and 
choked  him,  and  so  cast  him  grovelling :  and 
he  escaped  out  of  the  wildwood  and  began 
to  climb  upon  the  hill.  And  now  that  he 
was  escaped  he  knew  no  longer  whither  he 
should  go,  for  there  was  no  more  sound  of 
shrieking,  but  a  great  silence  of  moonlight 
and  solitude.  And  he  went  to  and  fro  upon 
the  hillside  and  found  there  no  living  thing : 
and  at  the  last  the  sky  began  to  lighten 
towards  dawn,  and  his  strength  left  him,  so 
that  he  laid  him  down  and  slept  he  knew 
not  where. 

And  when  he  awoke  the  sun  was  high,  and  he 
looked  adown  the  hill  and  saw  Aithne  coming 
towards  him,  and  she  was  leading  forth  her 
sheep,  for  it  was  time.  And  as  she  came  he 
saw  her  loveliness  while  she  was  yet  far  from 
him,  for  her  going  was  both  proud  and 
womanly,  and  she  showed  forth  in  it  the 
fashion  of  her  heart.  And  when  he  saw  that 
he  thought  on  pain  and  terror,  and  he  had 
o  209 


Aladore 


great  pity  upon  all  women,  and  he  went 
quickly  to  meet  her  and  said :  What  have 
we  here  to  do,  for  we  should  be  gone  long 
since.  But  she  looked  at  him  and  saw  how 
he  was  already  weary,  even  in  the  first  hour 
of  the  day,  and  how  he  was  troubled  beyond 
measure,  even  in  her  presence  that  loved 
him :  also  she  saw  how  he  was  soiled  and 
somewhat  be-bled  upon  the  hands.  And  she 
touched  his  hand  with  her  hand  and  asked 
him  of  his  hurt,  and  for  what  cause  he  would 
be  gone.  And  he  told  her  no  truth,  for  he 
would  not  tell  her  of  his  pity,  but  he  spoke  of 
himself  only,  and  he  said :  I  am  afraid,  for  I 
go  in  peril  of  my  life,  by  reason  of  the  fauns. 
Then  she  said  :  Dear  heart,  be  not  afraid, 
for  I  know  the  fauns,  that  they  will  be  cruel 
at  their  hours,  and  I  have  a  spell  to  tame 
them,  for  they  are  but  beasts.  Yea,  said  he, 
they  are  my  brethren  of  the  half  blood.  And 
now  I  beseech  you  that  you  lay  down  your 
crook  and  leave  your  sheep  to  feed  as  may 
befall  them,  and  let  us  begone  by  what  way 
you   will.      And   she  delayed  and   asked  him 

310 


Aladore 


Whither  ?  And  he  said  :  I  know  not  whither, 
but  this  I  know,  that  I  have  fought  with  my 
kin,  and  I  have  dwelt  among  them  long 
enough. 

Then  Aithne  sighed,  and  she  turned  her 
about  and  looked  upon  the  valley,  and  the 
sun  lay  broad  upon  it,  and  the  morning 
shadows,  and  the  river  ran  bright  among  the 
willows  below  and  in  the  rocky  pools  above. 
And  she  sighed  again,  and  then  she  said:  It 
is  nothing,  beloved,  for  we  have  been  long 
together,  and  we  have  that  which  hath  been 
and  that  which  shall  be.  But  as  men  say,  a 
joy  that  ends  is  never  long  enough,  so  now  I 
sigh  because  I  must  bid  this  place  farewell. 
And  I  knew  always  that  we  must  some  day 
be  gone  from  it :  and  I  waited  only  for  your 
will.  This  is  my  will,  said  Ywain :  and  he 
cast  her  crook  upon  the  ground,  to  be  a  token 
to  them  that  should  find  it  lying.  Then  he 
took  her  by  the  hand,  and  they  looked  again 
upon  the  valley :  and  they  kissed  for  comfort 
and  for  memory,  and  turned  them  and  went 
together  across  the  hills. 

211 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

HOW  YWAIN   AND   AITHNE   WENT   FLYING 
BETWEEN    SUN   AND   MOON. 

Then  they  went  hastily  until  it  was  past  noon, 
and  Ywain  would  not  that  they  should  stint, 
till  at  last  they  wearied  both,  and  lacked 
strength  for  lack  of  meat.  And  they  espied 
a  shepherd's  hut  all  lonely  among  the  hills, 
and  it  stood  fast  by  a  thicket,  and  they  knew 
not  whose  it  might  be,  for  it  was  far  off  from 
the  valley  of  their  dwelling.  So  they  came 
thither  and  found  it  empty,  for  the  shepherds 
were  abroad  with  their  flock.  Then  they  went 
within  the  hut  and  shut  to  the  door  and 
thought  to  rest  them  awhile.  But  Ywain  sat 
him  down  beside  the  window  and  hid  himself, 
that  he  might  keep  watch,  for  he  doubted 
that  they  were  not  yet  wholly  escaped. 

212 


Alad 


ore 


And  when  he  had  watched  for  the  space  of 
half  an  hour  he  saw  how  that  there  was  some- 
thing stirring  in  the  border   of  the   thicket : 
and   presently   came    forth   the    young    faun, 
going  warily  upon  his  hands  and    upon    his 
shanks.     And  he  cast  about  him  on  this  side 
and  on  that,  nosing  the  earth  as  a  hound  upon 
the  trail :   and  he  began  to  creep  toward  the 
hut,  and  Ywain  moved  not  but  laid  hold  upon 
his  staff.     But  in  the  same  moment  he  looked 
beyond  the  faun  and  saw  two  shepherds  which 
came  coasting  the  thicket,  and  he  heard  their 
dogs  behind  them  barking  and  driving  in  the 
sheep.      And   the  faun  also  heard   them  and 
was   discomfited :    for  his   wits   had    been   all 
upon  the  trail  and  he  was  well-nigh  trapped. 
And  the  shepherds  saw   him  and    cried    out 
upon  him  and   made  to  beat   him  with  their 
crooks,  but    he    ran    with    great    leaps,    and 
passed   before   them    and  was   gone  into  the 
thicket. 

Then  Ywain  went  out  to  meet  the  shepherds, 
and  to  question  them,  for  he  perceived  that 
they  were   come    home   from    pasture   before 
213 


Aladore 


their  time.  And  they  said  that  they  had 
great  need  to  come,  for  that  there  was  a 
gathering  of  fauns  throughout  all  the  country, 
and  it  was  the  time  of  their  madness  wherein 
they  would  be  fell  and  beastly. 

Then  Ywain  told  his  tale  also,  and  they 
counselled  him  earnestly  to  go  further,  for 
they  understood  how  that  he  was  hated  of 
the  fauns,  and  belike  against  him  was  their 
gathering,  and  against  none  other.  So  Ywain 
brought  his  lady  forth  in  spite  of  weariness, 
and  the  shepherds  gave  them  such  meat  as 
they  had,  and  sent  them  away. 

Then  Ywain  began  to  be  afeared  as  he  had 
never  been  afeared  in  all  his  days,  for  he  saw 
how  his  lady  was  fallen  lame  with  the  rough- 
ness of  the  hills :  and  this  that  was  before  him 
was  no  proper  warfare,  wherein  a  man  may 
die  reasonably,  but  a  desperate  and  unclean 
fortune,  to  be  overtaken  by  beasts  in  darkness. 
And  on  every  wind  he  heard  voices,  and 
behind  every  tree  he  saw  the  shadow  of  his 
enemies,  so  that  he  went  continually  as 
through  an  ambush,  forlorn  of  hope.  But 
214 


Alad 


ore 


Aithne  spoke  always  with  good  cheer,  and 
made  light  of  fauns,  as  one  that  had  a  spell 
to  subdue  all  creatures  at  her  will.  And 
almost  Ywain  believed  her,  for  she  was  sted- 
fast  beyond  all  bravery  of  feigning. 

Then  at  the  last  the  sun  began  to  fall  more 
swiftly  to  his  setting,  and  a  great  perplexity 
came  upon  Ywain.  For  he  supposed  that  in 
the  darkness  would  be  the  end  of  all,  but  he 
knew  not  how  nor  in  what  point  of  time : 
and  he  had  a  longing  to  say  somewhat  to 
Aithne,  yet  for  shame  he  could  not  say  it, 
lest  by  chance  after  despair  there  should  come 
deliverance.  And  therein  his  heart  betrayed 
him  not,  for  his  fortune  was  better  than  his 
fear. 

Thus  they  continued  going  forward,  and 
speaking  as  in  hope :  and  though  they  spoke 
deceivingly  each  to  other,  yet  their  spirits 
were  in  peace  together.  And  as  they  went 
they  looked  upon  the  sky  westward :  and 
there  was  a  little  span  between  the  sun  and 
the  sky  border,  and  by  that  span  they  saw 
their  life  and  measured  it.  And  the  sky  was 
215 


Alad 


ore 


clear  above  and  without  cloud,  but  the  sun 
was  greatening  below  in  a  mist  of  rose :  and 
against  the  mist  was  a  black  jot,  as  it  were  a 
black  crow  homing  towards  nightfall.  And 
when  it  came  nearer  they  saw  how  it  was  in 
bigness  greater  than  a  crow  and  in  colour 
diverse :  for  the  light  went  through  it  and 
yellowed  it,  and  it  flew  more  swiftly  than  a 
bird.  Also  it  came  with  a  sound  of  humming, 
like  a  great  bee,  and  the  nearer  the  louder, 
till  the  air  was  shaken  with  the  humming 
of  it,  and  the  blood  quickened  in  them  that 
heard  it.  And  Ywain  and  Aithne  stood  still 
to  look  upon  it,  and  they  saw  that  it  was 
by  seeming  a  man  which  flew  with  wings : 
and  he  came  over  them  where  they  stood 
and  went  about  them  in  a  circle  like  a 
buzzard,  wheeling  lightly  and  looking  down 
upon  them. 

Then  Ywain  made  a  sign  requiring  succour 

of  him :  and  he  took  Aithne  into  his  arms  and 

made  to   shelter   her,   and   with  his   staff   he 

swung  great  strokes  about   him,   as    it    were 

216 


Aladore 


against  a  host  of  enemies.  And  his  sign 
was  well  understanded  of  him  that  was  fly- 
ing, for  he  dropped  swiftly  down  upon  the 
earth,  and  he  put  off  his  wings  and  came 
running  where  Ywain  was  and  Aithne.  And 
they  saw  how  that  he  was  a  man  like 
unto  themselves,  but  tall  and  strong  and 
comely  out  of  measure,  and  at  a  word  he 
perceived  their  peril  and  the  evil  malice  of 
the  fauns.  Then  hastily  he  did  on  his  wings, 
and  he  took  a  thong,  and  when  he  had  bound 
Ywain  and  Aithne  with  the  thong  he  made 
them  fast  beneath  his  pinions,  and  so  mounted 
lightly  upon  the  air. 

And  Ywain  and  Aithne  looked  down  and 
marvelled  and  held  their  breath,  for  the 
whole  earth  fell  from  them  suddenly.  And 
for  a  moment  they  had  sight  of  fauns,  running 
together  like  ants  beneath  them :  and  then 
they  saw  the  fauns  also  fall  from  them  and 
become  as  dust.  And  the  sun  set,  and  the 
moon  rose,  and  they  went  flying  swiftly 
between  the  sun  and  the  moon. 
217 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

OF   THE    CITY   OF    DCEDALA,    AND    HOW   AN    OLD 
DAME   THEREIN    DESPAIRED    OF   IT. 

So  they  went  swiftly  and  spoke  no  word,  being 
astonished  unto  dumbness :  for  their  life  was 
changed  suddenly  and  they  were  in  no  place 
of  the  world.  But  he  that  bore  them  held 
his  course,  and  he  flew  Eastward  by  the  space 
of  an  hour.  Then  they  were  aware  how  he 
sloped  downwards  in  his  flight,  and  they 
looked  and  saw  beneath  them  a  great  city  on 
the  border  of  the  sea,  and  in  no  long  time 
they  came  lightly  down  and  took  land  before 
a  gate  that  was  there.  Then  they  three 
entered  afoot  into  the  city,  and  they  came 
quickly  to  a  good  house  and  were  received 
therein. 

218 


Al  adore 


Now  the  house  was  the  house  of  an  old  and 
noble  dame,  by  name  Eirene,  and  she  was  the 
mother  of  Hyperenor,  which  had  borne  Ywain 
and  Aithne  upon  his  wings.  And  them  she 
greeted  courteously,  and  received  them  to  be 
her  guests  while  it  should  please  them  :  but 
to  her  son  she  spoke  after  another  sort.  For 
in  one  and  the  same  breath  she  dealt  him 
sweet  words  and  bitter,  giving  thanks  to  all 
the  gods  for  his  home  coming,  and  also 
bidding  him  begone  where  she  might  never 
be  troubled  with  him  more.  And  after  this 
manner  she  continued  all  supper -time,  and 
she  would  have  Aithne  to  know  how  she  was 
the  most  miserable  of  all  women  living. 

For  I  was  born,  she  said,  in  a  city  far  off 
from  this,  in  a  land  of  other  men  and  other 
customs,  and  I  came  hither  blindfold  in  my 
youth.  And  the  veil  wherewith  I  was  blinded 
was  the  veil  of  marriage,  as  it  fortunes  to  the 
most  of  us.  For  of  this  city  I  knew  nothing, 
but  I  supposed  it  to  be  an  ancient  city  and  a 
pious,  with  gods  and  customs  like  our  owrt: 
219 


Aladore 


and  I  found  it  given  over  to  a  madness  of 
inheritance,  and  by  special  wrath  of  heaven 
accursed  and  punished.  For  this  is  the  city 
of  Dcedala,  where  is  the  tomb  of  Daedalus, 
whom  they  call  the  father  of  inventions :  and 
though  his  bones  be  perished,  yet  they  keep 
here  his  impiety,  and  do  after  it.  And  their 
madness  is  beyond  belief,  for  there  is  nothing 
that  they  will  do  by  way  of  nature  if  by  any 
means  they  can  devise  to  do  it  otherwise,  as 
by  mechanemes  of  iron  or  brass.  And  at  my 
first  coming  they  were  assotted  upon  chariots 
of  fire,  and  afterwards  upon  a  hundred  other 
devices,  full  of  noise  and  dangerous  exceed- 
ingly :  and  now  they  sin  with  the  very  sin  of 
Doedalus.  For  when  he  had  found  out  many 
inventions,  he  found  out  this  also,  to  fly  above 
the  earth  with  wings :  a  thing  plainly  hateful 
to  the  gods,  for  if  it  had  been  their  will,  they 
would  have  made  men  like  to  birds  in  the 
beginning.  But  their  will  was  not  so,  and 
they  have  sent  upon  this  city  the  curse  of 
Doedalus:  for  as  the  god  took  his  son  from 
220 


Alad 


ore 


him  and  cast  him  dead  upon  the  sea,  so  now 
it  is  with  us,  and  heavier  a  hundredfold. 

Then  the  old  dame  wept  bitterly,  that  it 
was  pity  to  see,  and  her  son  ran  to  her  and 
knelt  beside  her  and  handled  her  lovingly. 
And  when  he  had  some  deal  comforted  her, 
then  he  spoke  merrily  and  said  how  it  was 
shame  to  lay  so  much  on  gods  and  to  make 
them  unreasonable  and  so  bring  them  into 
judgment.  And  it  may  be,  he  said,  that  it 
is  we,  and  none  other,  that  are  the  gods,  for 
certainly  we  are  greater  than  our  fathers, 
and  there  shall  yet  be  greater  that  shall 
come  after  us.  But  his  mother  rebuked  him 
and  said :  I  will  not  hear  such  words ;  for 
your  fathers  kept  due  observance  and  lived 
long,  and  you  of  this  generation  do  reverence 
to  none,  but  you  fly  outrageously  in  the  face 
of  heaven,  and  your  youth  is  cast  down  upon 
the  earth  as  upon  a  dust-heap.  And  to  what 
profit  ?  for  you  die  like  the  flowers  and  leave 
no  name  behind  you.  And  Hyperenor  said : 
So  be  it,   but  our  fruit  shall  follow  us :   for 

221 


Aladore 


it  may  be  that  our  sons  shall  fly  and  not 
fall.  But  Eirene  wept  again  and  said :  You 
are  great  givers,  for  you  tear  your  mothers' 
hearts  to  feed  your  children. 

Then  Aithne  went  to  her  to  comfort  her, 
for  she  was  sorry  in  her  heart  for  that  old 
dame,  and  she  saw  how  she  had  no  other 
son  but  this  one  only,  and  him  she  looked 
daily  to  lose.  And  Ywain  also  had  pity  on 
her,  for  there  is  no  man  that  can  bear  to 
look  upon  a  woman  weeping.  But  he  was 
divided  in  mind,  and  in  part  he  was  pitiful, 
as  need  was,  but  in  greater  part  he  took 
side  with  Hyperenor  and  upheld  him  to  have 
the  right  of  it.  For  he  saw  how  the  young 
man  was  a  great  knight  and  strong  and 
passing  comely:  and  though  his  words  were 
some  deal  big,  yet  his  voice  was  slow  and 
courteous,  as  the  voice  of  one  that  would 
make  good.  Also  in  his  doctrine  Ywain 
upheld  him :  for  in  all  wars  there  will  be 
some  that  die,  and  they  die  gladly  to  subdue 
a   kingdom,  though   for   themselves  they  see 

222 


Aladore 


it  not  nor  enter  into  it.  But  most  he  loved 
him  as  one  that  would  dare  and  do,  and  of 
his  daring  and  his  doing  he  would  willingly 
hear  more :  for  it  seemed  to  him  a  great  and 
marvellous  thing  that  men  should  fly,  that 
so  they  might  come  into  all  places  of  the 
earth,  yea,  and  perchance  into  some  that 
are  beyond. 


223 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

OF  A  PROMISE  THAT  WAS  MADE  TO  YWAIN, 
AND  HOW  HE  TOOK  WINGS  TO  SEEK 
FOR  ALADORE. 

Then  after  supper  the  old  dame  went  out, 
and  Aithne  with  her,  and  Ywain  was  left  there 
with  Hyperenor,  and  they  two  sat  a  long  time 
talking  together.  And  as  they  talked  they 
drank  their  wine,  by  cup  and  by  cup :  and 
they  sat  beside  a  window,  and  the  window 
was  open  wide,  looking  upon  the  city  and 
upon  the  lights  thereof,  and  the  night  over 
them  was  blue  and  spangled  with  bright  stars. 
And  Ywain  perceived  how  that  Hyperenor 
was  no  longer  strange  to  him,  but  near  and 
kind  as  out  of  old  friendship :  and  he  spoke 
with  him  concerning  many  matters,  and  was 
224 


Alad 


ore 


accorded  with  him  continually.  Then  at  the 
last  he  spoke  of  Aladore,  and  he  told  him 
how  that  he  must  of  necessity  come  there 
to  be  wedded  with  his  lady,  and  how  he 
had  sight  of  that  land  as  it  were  of  a  cloud 
in  heaven,  yet  he  could  by  no  manner  of 
means  attain  to  find  it. 

And  Hyperenor  received  his  saying  readily, 
and  began  to  make  him  large  promises  :  for 
he  was  such  an  one  that  in  his  book  was 
no  word  for  things  impossible.  And  he  said 
how  he  would  give  Ywain  wings,  and  learn 
him  quickly  how  he  should  use  them, 
so  that  in  one  day  he  might  well  come  to 
fly  with  all  ease,  if  he  had  but  good  courage 
and  continuance  of  fortune.  And  as  for 
Aladore,  he  had  no  knowledge  thereof,  but 
to  find  it  he  took  to  be  no  hard  matter. 
For  if  such  place  there  be,  he  said,  be  sure 
that  flying  will  bring  us  to  it,  save  it  be  at 
the  sea  bottom :  and  in  that  case,  he  told 
Ywain  how  that  he  had  yet  another 
mechaneme  to  do  his  purpose,  so  that  by 
p  223 


Aladore 


wing    or    by    water    Ywain    should    certainly 
come  thither. 

Then  when  Ywain  heard  those  words  he 
was  fain  to  believe  them,  and  he  began  to 
feel  his  wings  uplifting  him.  And  he  doubted 
not  of  Hyperenor,  but  he  thought  to  know 
more  of  his  mind  concerning  Aladore :  there- 
fore he  asked  him  toward  what  quarter  of 
the  earth  they  should  begin  their  seeking. 
And  Hyperenor  answered  Toward  no  quarter : 
for  that  the  land  was  plainly  no  place  of 
earth,  but  a  floating  isle,  after  the  kind  of 
the  isles  which  float  upon  the  sea,  and  belike 
it  would  be  found  in  the  region  of  the  stars. 
And  Ywain  marvelled  at  his  knowledge  and 
took  comfort  of  it :  for  he  also  believed  that 
it  was  no  earthly  city  which  he  sought,  but 
what  else  it  might  be  he  knew  not,  until  it 
was  showed  him  reasonably. 

So  he  heard  Hyperenor  and  was  content, 

and   looked    upward  ^ to    the    stars:    and    he 

beheld   their   aspect    such    as   with    his    eyes 

he  never  yet  beheld  it.     For  he  knew  them 

226 


Aladore 


of  old  both  by  stars  and  by  constellations, 
but  now  first  he  saw  their  images  in  heaven : 
and  behind  every  constellation  was  an  image, 
like  a  great  shadow  decked  with  stars,  and 
the  shadows  went  about  the  high  dome  like 
servants  of  the  gods,  going  silently  in  their 
appointed  order.  And  Ywain  knew  no  longer 
where  he  might  be,  for  he  saw  no  more  the 
lights  of  the  city  nor  heard  the  voice  of 
Hyperenor  that  talked  beside  him ;  also  it 
seemed  to  him  that  time  was  fallen  dead, 
so  that  the  world  was  void  and  still,  as  a 
glass  is  void  when  all  the  sands  are  run 
down  upon  the  heap.  And  he  awoke  as 
from  long  dreaming:  but  he  perceived  that 
Hyperenor  knew  not  how  he  had  been  from 
him  all  that  space.  So  within  a  while  they 
betook  them  to  their  rest. 

Then  on  the  morrow  they  rose  up  early, 
and  came  to  a  meadow  ground  which  lay 
before  the  gate  of  the  city:  and  Hyperenor 
gave  Ywain  wings  according  to  his  promise, 
and  shewed  him  all  his  own  skill  therewith. 
227 


Alad 


ore 


And  Ywain  received  his  teaching  quickly, 
and  brought  it  to  good  market,  so  that  in 
no  long  time  he  went  which  way  he  would : 
and  he  wearied  not  nor  failed  of  strength, 
but  his  wings  upbore  him  lightly  without 
labour,  for  they  were  so  devised. 

And  when  it  was  evening  he  thought  to 
prove  his  adventure :  for  he  was  not  willing 
to  return  into  the  house  to  Aithne  until  he 
should  have  somewhat  to  tell  her.  And  when 
the  sun  was  now  going  down  into  the  sea 
Ywain  did  on  his  wings  again,  and  scanned 
all  the  regions  of  the  sky:  and  there  was  no 
cloud  near  the  sun,  but  over  against  his  setting 
there  was  one  only  cloud,  made  golden  by 
the  light  of  evening.  And  under  the  cloud 
was  the  moon  rising,  and  she  came  up  out 
of  the  mountains  of  the  East  and  went  climb- 
ing towards  the  cloud.  Then  Ywain  called  to 
Hyperenor  and  together  they  leapt  into  the 
air. 

Then  at  the  first  they  went  wheeling  about 
and  about,  to  gain  the  height  of  the  sky, 
228 


Alad 


ore 


and  the  dusk  began  to  fall  softly  round  them. 
And  Ywain  looked  down  in  his  wheeling,  and 
there  was  the  city  of  Dcedala  very  far  beneath 
him,  and  it  smallened  and  darkened  con- 
tinually, so  that  save  for  the  moonlight  upon 
the  towers  he  had  soon  seen  it  no  more. 
But  for  a  time  he  saw  it  still  lying  cold  and 
white  by  the  border  of  the  sea.  Then  he 
looked  up  and  saw  the  stars,  and  above  him 
Hyperenor  flying  beneath  the  starry  roof :  and 
Ywain  followed  him  and  they  left  their  wheel- 
ing and  flew  straight  toward  the  cloud  above 
the  moon.  And  the  moon  rose  up  to  meet 
them,  and  the  light  of  her  came  cold  upon 
their  faces,  and  they  strained  in  their  flight  to 
hold  their  way  above  her,  so  that  they  flew 
faster  and  faster  into  the  hollow  of  the  night. 
And  as  they  went  the  coldness  of  the  void 
entered  into  Ywain's  blood,  and  he  felt  no 
more  neither  hope  nor  fellowship,  and  his  love 
lay  frozen  within  him  as  the  root  of  a  flower 
lies  frozen  in  winter.  But  his  thought  was 
busier  than  aforetime,  and  his  desire  was  to 
229 


Alad 


ore 


know  all  things  which  might  be  known. 
And  he  looked  down  again  toward  the  earth, 
and  saw  it  as  a  thing  without  life  or  meaning : 
for  in  bigness  it  was  lesser  than  his  hand, 
and  it  fell  beneath  him  like  a  stone  that  is 
hurtled  from  a  cliff.  And  he  said  within  him- 
self: What  is  that  to  me,  for  it  is  but  one 
amongst  many :  and  he  looked  up  again  to 
Hyperenor  that  he  might  follow  him  further. 
But  when  he  looked  he  saw  him  not  nor 
the  cloud  neither,  and  in  a  moment  his 
thought  was  dazed  within  him,  and  went 
staggering  like  a  man  struck  suddenly  upon 
his  eyes.  For  on  every  side  the  stars  were 
changed  about  him,  and  they  kept  no  more 
the  order  of  their  constellations,  but  they 
were  as  a  crowd  rushing  upon  him,  countless 
and  disorderly.  Then  he  looked  again  upon 
the  moon,  and  saw  her  as  it  were  hard  by 
him,  and  he  was  yet  more  in  dread :  for  she 
was  no  living  land  but  a  bare  plain  and  cold, 
and  upon  the  plain  were  hills  like  naked 
bones,  and  black  pits  like  the  pits  of  dead 
230 


Alad 


ore 


men's  eyes.  And  in  the  same  instant  he  saw 
against  the  moonlight  Hyperenor,  falling  like 
a  dead  bird  towards  the  earth.  And  in  his 
fall  he  came  by  Ywain  and  went  fluttering 
past  him,  and  Ywain  leaned  over  and  peered 
after  him,  and  the  coldness  left  him,  and 
the  blood  came  again  swiftly  from  his  heart. 
And  he  stooped  his  head  and  went  whirling 
down  the  gulf,  and  the  winds  rushed  up  to 
meet  him  and  bore  him  whither  they  would ; 
for  his  strength  was  as  the  strength  of  a  leaf, 
that  falls  at  end  of  summer. 


231 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

HOW  YWAIN  CAME  THE  SECOND  TIME  TO  THE 
HERMIT,  AND  HOW  HE  TOOK  COUNSEL  OF 
HIM. 

Now  Ywain  fell  swiftly  earthward,  and  belike 
the  time  of  his  falling  was  no  great  space  : 
but  to  him  it  seemed  long,  beyond  reckoning, 
for  his  wits  were  battered  and  edgeworn,  as 
a  stone  is  worn  by  a  hundred  years  of  rolling. 
And  whiles  he  dropped  headlong  through  the 
void,  and  whiles  the  wind  came  up  beneath 
him  and  lifted  him  lightly,  so  that  he  rose 
and  fell  as  it  were  upon  great  waves  of  the 
sea.  But  at  the  last  he  came  hurtling  down 
upon  a  forest,  and  among  the  trees  of  it  his 
wings  were  caught  and  broken  :  yet  was  Ywain 
not  broken  therewith,  but  he  took  the  earth 
easily  and  recovered  himself. 
232 


Alad 


ore 


Then  he  got  to  his  feet  and  began  to  go 
through  the  forest,  and  it  came  to  his  mind 
that  he  was  thrice  lost,  and  not  once  only  : 
for  he  was  gone  from  his  lady  and  from  his 
friend,  and  he  knew  not  where  to  seek  them 
nor  in  what  place  of  the  world  he  might 
himself  be  wandering.  And  for  Aithne  he 
prayed  to  see  her  again  in  no  long  time,  for  he 
knew  how  she  could  come  and  go  by  her  own 
magic,  that  was  her  gift  of  faery :  but  for 
Hyperenor  he  lamented  without  praying,  for 
he  supposed  that  he  was  gone  beyond  that. 
And  for  himself  he  raged  against  fate,  for  it 
seemed  to  him  that  his  life  had  fallen  suddenly 
from  light  to  darkness,  as  a  lamp  that  is 
thrown  down,  and  though  it  be  not  broken, 
yet  it  cannot  be  kindled  again,  but  cold  it 
lies  and  blackened  that  was  burning  but  a 
moment  since.  And  when  he  perceived  that, 
then  he  bit  and  beat  against  time  as  a  wild 
thing  will  bite  against  the  bars  of  a  cage. 

Howbeit  he  continued  still  upon  his  way, 
and  suddenly  he  perceived  that  he  was  in 
233 


Aladore 


no  strange  path :  for  he  was  going  between 
tall  pines,  and  beyond  the  pines  was  a  stream 
that  ran  burbling,  and  a  bank  with  great 
beeches  upon  it,  and  he  went  forward  quickly 
as  one  that  well  knows  what  he  shall  find. 
And  as  he  thought,  so  it  fortuned  to  him, 
for  he  came  by  sunrise  to  a  bare  lawn  under 
a  cliff,  and  in  the  face  of  the  cliff  was  a  door 
carven  and  a  window  or  two,  and  it  was  the 
house  of  the  hermit  that  was  friend  to  him, 
and  right  glad  he  was  to  see  that  place  again. 

And  when  he  came  there  the  sun  was  risen, 
and  the  hermit  was  coming  forth  out  of  his 
house  in  like  manner  as  he  had  done  afore- 
time, and  in  like  manner  he  brought  bread 
and  broke  it  for  the  small  fowls  of  the  forest. 
And  Ywain  was  amazed  to  behold  his  dealing  : 
for  there  had  come  no  change  upon  the  man, 
nor  upon  the  place,  nor  upon  anything  therein, 
but  Ywain  only  was  changed  within  himself 
and  made  new  by  time  and  trouble. 

Then  he  stood  still  beneath  a  beech-tree, 
and  called  with  a  quiet  voice  and  bade  the 
234 


Aladore 


hermit  a  good  morning :  and  the  hermit  moved 
not  but  answered  him  yet  more  quietly,  and 
continued  feeding  his  birds.  So  they  two 
came  together  without  ado  or  overmuch 
heartiness,  but  inwardly  they  were  quickened 
both,  as  with  memory  and  friendship.  And 
they  went  together  to  the  stream,  and  when 
they  had  given  bread  to  the  fishes,  then  they 
did  off  their  garments  quickly  and  took  the 
pool  as  they  had  done  aforetime  :  and  they 
sported  joyfully  and  so  came  home  to  break 
their  fast  together. 

Now  as  they  sat  at  table  Ywain  looked  out 
from  the  window,  and  he  saw  the  sunlight 
upon  the  lawn,  and  he  heard  the  murmur  of 
the  stream,  for  the  sound  of  it  came  by  upon  a 
little  wind  of  morning  ;  and  he  bethought  him 
how  the  times  were  changed,  and  all  his  mind 
unknown  to  the  hermit  that  sat  beside  him. 
Then  the  hermit  said  to  him :  We  are  strangely 
met  again:  for  in  a  year  this  place  is  nowise 
changed,  and  I  have  gone  but  a  little  down- 
ward on  the  byway  of  my  life,  but  you  have 
235 


A]  ad ore 


journeyed  far  to  the  forward,  and  are  come 
within  sight  of  your  desire.  And  Ywain  was 
astonished  and  asked  him :  How  know  you 
that  which  has  befallen  me,  for  it  is  a  long 
tale  and  I  have  not  yet  told  a  word  of  it. 
And  the  hermit  answered :  I  know  it  not, 
but  there  is  little  need  of  telling.  For  I  set 
you  forth  on  your  way  to  Paladore,  and  therein 
you  followed  your  desire:  and  without  doubt 
there  met  you  by  the  way  a  woman,  for  by 
every  man's  way  there  is  a  woman,  and 
without  doubt  you  learned  of  her  that  which 
all  women  teach.  And  for  the  rest,  you  have 
encountered  this  and  that  adventure,  and 
though  you  have  proved  them  well,  yet  have 
you  failed  of  your  achievement  unto  this 
present,  for  there  is  hope  in  your  eyes  and 
no  certainty,  and  you  are  here  alone  and 
wandering. 

Then  Ywain  opened  his  heart,  and  he  told 

his  story  by  part  and  by  parcel,  until  he  had 

told  it  all.     And  when  he  had  ended  his  telling 

the  hermit  v<ras  silent,  and  he  sat  there  stilly 

236 


Aladore 


and  moved  no  more  than  if  he  had  been  lost  in 
sleep.  And  at  the  last  Ywain  said  to  him : 
That  which  I  have  done,  is  it  well  done  or  ill  ? 
Then  the  hermit  stirred  a  little,  and  sighed 
deeply,  and  so  fell  again  to  silence.  But  after- 
wards he  spoke  and  said  to  Ywain :  Forgive 
me,  for  I  was  thinking  of  myself.  Yet  not 
of  myself  only,  but  of  you  and  of  many,  for  we 
are  all  banished  men,  and  we  seek  for  the  road 
of  our  returning.  And  you  do  well  on  your 
part,  for  your  serving  and  your  seeking  are 
one,  and  though  you  find  not  yet  neither  do 
you  turn  aside  to  rest :  for  the  time  is  not 
come  wherein  you  must  be  content  with 
memory  and  solitude. 

And  Ywain  looked  upon  him  and  he  saw 
that  he  spoke  out  of  sorrow  :  for  his  eyes  were 
like  still  water,  but  deep  within  them  the 
spirit  of  the  man  was  troubled,  as  the  sand 
is  troubled  beneath  the  stillness  of  a  spring. 
And  Ywain  longed  greatly  to  comfort  him,  but 
found  no  words,  for  he  would  not  question  him 
of  his  sorrow.  Then  he  thought  to  put  him 
237 


Aladore 


in  mind  of  his  wisdom  that  he  had  found  by 
loneliness:  but  thereto  the  hermit  answered 
yet  more  sadly  and  said  :  There  are  that  choose 
loneliness,  but  upon  me  it  came  perforce.  And 
for  my  wisdom,  it  is  one  thing  to  you  and 
another  thing  to  me  :  for  to  you  it  is  as  a 
living  voice,  to  counsel  the  living,  but  to  me 
it  is  as  the  stone  upon  a  grave,  which  gives 
good  words  when  there  is  none  left  to  hear 
them. 

Then  Ywain  said  to  him  :  What  then  ? 
Will  you  return  and  come  with  me  ?  And 
the  hermit  smiled  a  little  and  answered  him : 
Not  so,  for  I  should  be  none  the  nearer  to  the 
country  of  my  abiding.  But  go  you,  he  said, 
and  return  to  the  city,  and  do  your  seeking 
among  men  :  for  your  life  is  yet  to  find,  and 
among  men  you  must  find  it. 


238 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

HOW  YWAIN  RETURNED  AGAIN  TO  PALADORE 
FOR  TO  DWELL  THERE,  AND  HOW  HE 
SPOKE  TO  APPEASE  A  STRIFE  THAT  WAS 
BETWEEN   THE    PEOPLE. 

So  on  that  day  Ywain  had  converse  with  the 
hermit,  and  on  the  morrow  early  he  departed 
from  him.  And  he  went  from  him  by  the 
former  way,  but  he  went  not  after  the  former 
manner:  for  at  this  time  his  journeying  was 
by  dayhght  and  not  by  moonlight,  and  he 
had  no  aid  of  horses  but  fared  always  upon 
his  feet.  Notwithstanding  he  made  good 
speed  and  came  betimes  to  the  place  of 
the  stepping-stones,  and  it  seemed  to  him  a 
place  right  dreary  and  desert,  where  before 
had  been  his  lady  with  him  and  great  fight- 
239 


Aladore 


ing  upon  the  bank.  So  he  passed  on  quickly 
and  came  to  Paladore :  and  he  saw  the  city 
also  as  a  dim  and  dreary  city,  for  his  heart 
was  fordone  with  loneliness  and  his  thought 
dragged  like  a  man  that  is  footsore  with 
going. 

Then  he  came  to  the  gate  and  passed  in : 
and  immediately  there  came  to  meet  him 
two  men,  and  they  ran  towards  him  on  this 
side  and  on  that,  and  one  of  them  was  clad 
in  scarlet  and  the  other  in  black.  And  they 
two  laid  hold  on  him  both  together,  and 
they  spoke  to  him  loudly  as  it  were  with 
one  voice,  so  that  he  heard  not  of  their 
saying  two  words  in  twenty.  But  when 
their  ardour  was  somewhat  abated,  then  he 
heard  them  more  plainly:  and  their  tale  was 
this,  that  the  Company  of  the  Eagle  and 
the  Company  of  the  Tower  were  at  odds 
together,  and  some  of  them  were  even  now 
within  the  Great  Hall  of  the  city  speaking 
the  one  against  the  other,  and  like  enough 
to  go  further  with  it.  And  as  for  them 
240 


Aladore 


which  took  hold  of  Ywain,  they  had  the 
office  from  their  companies  to  wait  within 
the  gate,  and  if  any  should  enter,  to  send 
him  quickly  to  the  place  of  meeting.  And 
they  offered  Ywain  badges,  of  the  Tower  and 
of  the  Eagle,  and  were  urgent  with  him  each 
for  his  own,  that  Ywain  might  declare  him- 
self as  of  that  company  :  for  they  knew  him 
not,  or  else  they  had  forgotten,  or  belike 
they  thought  to  carry  him  away  with  words. 
And  when  he  heard  their  clamouring,  and 
knew  not  for  what  cause  the  striving  might 
be,  then  at  the  first  his  spirit  was  sick 
within  him,  and  he  thought  to  break  away 
from  them.  And  he  said  to  them :  Let  me 
go  my  way,  for  I  have  enough  business  of 
my  own.  And  again  he  said  :  Let  me  go, 
for  I  am  weary  and  would  rest.  But  when 
he  had  spoken  those  words  he  saw  the  men 
no  longer,  neither  the  red  nor  the  black, 
but  he  saw  beside  him  the  hermit  standing 
and  looking  into  his  face.  Then  the  hermit 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  began  to  lead 
Q  241 


Aladore 


him  towards  the  market-place :  and  as  they 
went  he  spoke  not  to  Ywain,  but  held  him 
always  by  the  hand,  and  it  was  as  though 
his  mind  was  poured  into  Ywain's  mind  like 
wine  that  is  poured  from  one  cup  into  another. 
And  Ywain  knew  whither  he  went,  and  he 
made  no  more  resistance,  for  he  said  within 
himself:  This  is  the  life  of  Paladore,  to 
strive  by  companies,  and  I  know  of  which 
company  I  am.  Then  he  thought  again  upon 
the  Eagles  and  his  blood  leapt  up  to  be  with 
them,  and  he  hastened  in  his  going  and  knew 
not  that  he  hastened.  And  in  that  moment 
the  hermit  was  gone  from  him,  and  he  came 
alone  into  the  market-place. 

Now  there  was  gathered  in  the  place  a 
crowd  exceeding  great  and  turbulent,  and 
they  were  plainly  divided  between  the  two 
companies.  For  they  which  favoured  the 
Tower  stood  upon  the  steps  of  the  Great 
Hall  in  a  ground  of  vantage,  and  they  which 
were  of  the  Eagles  stood  in  the  street  below : 
and  they  were  waiting  until  their  men  should 
242 


Aladore 


come  forth  to  them  from  within  the  Hall, 
and  as  they  waited  they  gibbered  and  gibed, 
the  one  party  against  the  other.  But  when 
they  saw  Ywain  they  left  that  and  shouted 
at  him  all  together,  for  they  remembered 
him  and  desired  him  each  company  for  their 
own.  And  the  Eagles  desired  him  because 
he  had  fought  for  them  aforetime,  and  they 
of  the  Tower  desired  him  because  he  had 
fought  against  them  and  worsted  them :  so 
that  between  them  Ywain  thought  to  be 
divided  piecemeal. 

But  in  that  moment  the  doors  of  the 
Great  Hall  were  opened,  and  they  which 
were  within  began  to  come  forth.  And 
there  came  before  them  a  crier  with  a  bell, 
and  he  stood  upon  the  topmost  step  and 
rang  his  bell  and  cried :  and  Ywain  heard 
of  his  crying  the  last  word  only.  And  they 
of  the  Tower  caught  up  that  word  and 
shouted  joyfully :  He  is  banished.  Then  the 
Eagles  shouted :  He  shall  not  be  banished ; 
and  their  shouting  was  the  louder  and  by 
243 


Alad 


ore 


some  deal  the  fiercer.  And  they  called  to 
Ywain  to  help  them,  and  they  made  way  and 
pushed  him  forward  upon  the  steps. 

Then  he  went  slowly  up  the  steps,  and  he 
stood  and  looked  upon  the  crowd :  and  as 
he  stood  he  cast  about  in  his  mind  what  he 
should  say,  for  of  the  matter  in  dispute  he 
knew  but  this  word  only,  that  one  was  in 
danger  to  be  banished.  So  from  that  word 
he  began  his  speaking,  and  he  said  first,  how 
that  to  banish  any  man  was  an  evil  custom, 
against  kindness  and  against  reason  both : 
for  if  a  man  had  done  wrong  he  should  suffer 
there  where  he  had  done  the  wrong,  seeing 
that  it  was  his  country  notwithstanding.  And 
secondly,  he  said  how  that  in  any  case  a 
man  should  suffer  by  law  and  not  by  hatred  : 
for  he  may  offend  a  whole  company  and  yet 
be  no  law-breaker,  nor  of  evil  intent.  And 
thirdly,  he  said  that  to  speak  against  customs 
is  lawful :  for  a  custom  may  be  such  as  was 
good  yesterday,  but  in  nowise  good  to-day, 
nor  for  ever,  and  to  end  it  is  no  murder. 
244 


Aladore 


And  all  this  he  spoke  not  angrily  but  with 
a  sad  voice  and  a  slow :  and  from  fierce  the 
crowd  became  gentle,  and  they  murmured 
continually  for  pleasure  as  a  cat  will  purr 
when  she  is  stroked  with  the  hand.  For 
they  of  Paladore  love  best  to  see  fighting, 
but  after  that  they  love  to  hear  speaking, 
and  he  that  hath  power  of  wind  may  raise 
their  anger  at  his  own  will  and  lay  it  again, 
like  the  waters  of  the  sea. 

So  they  were  stilled  and  put  in  peace 
together,  as  for  this  time,  and  they  left  the 
market-place  and  departed  each  to  his  own 
business.  But  they  of  the  Tower  forswore 
not  their  intent,  for  they  held  by  their  custom 
and  hated  Ywain,  but  they  perceived  well 
that  they  must  abide  their  time. 


245 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

HOW   YWAIN    BEHELD   A   GAME    OF   CHILDREN 
AND   HEARD   THEIR   SINGING. 

Now  Ywain  stood  still  to  see  the  crowd 
departing,  and  of  them  which  came  near  to 
him  there  were  some  which  greeted  him  and 
some  which  looked  sullenly  upon  him.  And 
as  he  saw  them  he  thought  upon  the  fashion 
of  this  world,  wherein  all  men  are  homeless : 
for  though  a  man  dwell  where  he  will  and 
see  good  days,  yet  everywhere  he  will  be  at 
strife  with  some,  and  belike  with  many.  Then 
he  thought  to  go  to  his  own  house,  and  he 
came  there  and  entered  into  it :  but  when 
he  was  therein  he  looked  about  him  doubt- 
fully, for  he  could  not  tell  if  it  should  be 
still  his  own,  or  given  to  another. 

So    he   stayed    not    there,   but    went    forth 
246 


Alad 


ore 


again  he  knew  not  whither :  for  his  wits 
wandered  otherwhere,  but  his  feet  lightly 
found  out  the  ways  of  his  desire.  And  the 
time  was  the  time  of  sunset,  and  there  went 
a  great  thunder  over  the  city,  and  a  sudden 
rain ;  and  when  the  rain  ceased  there  was  a 
light  in  the  air  and  a  marvellous  clearness. 
And  it  seemed  to  Ywain  as  though  that 
clearness  was  in  his  eyes  also,  and  in  his 
mind  and  in  his  heart :  and  he  went  wander- 
ing in  joy.  So  he  came  to  a  gate  of  the 
city  and  marked  it  not,  but  passed  through 
it :  and  beyond  the  gate  he  saw  suddenly  the 
High  Steep  before  him,  grey  and  green,  and 
upon  it  was  a  company  of  children  singing 
and  making  merry,  for  they  had  run  forth 
after  the  ceasing  of  the  rain.  And  there 
beyond  them  was  the  sea,  shining  like  grey 
steel,  and  the  trees  were  dark  against  it;  and 
the  sky  was  heavy  above  with  bands  of  purple, 
but  between  the  bands  the  colour  of  it  was 
pale  and  cool,  and  like  to  the  colour  of  green 
apples. 

247 


Alad 


ore 


Then  Ywain  stood  still  to  look  upon  the 
sea  and  the  sky,  and  the  children  came  round 
about  him  and  looked  also.  And  as  they 
stood  looking  there  passed  a  cloud  over  the 
Shepherdine  Sands,  and  the  cloud  was  drawn 
down  upon  the  white  water,  and  it  was  the 
last  cloud  of  the  storm  going  west  before  the 
wind.  And  the  passing  away  of  it  was  like 
the  drawing  of  a  curtain,  for  immediately 
there  was  light  instead  of  darkness  upon  the 
Shepherdine  Sands  and  upon  all  the  region 
that  was  beyond.  And  in  the  light  there 
was  a  land,  as  it  were  far  off  but  exceeding 
clear :  and  upon  the  land  was  a  steep  and 
a  city,  and  by  seeming  it  was  no  strange 
city,  for  it  was  built  and  bulwarked  after  the 
very  fashion  of  Paladore.  Notwithstanding 
it  was  strange  enough :  for  it  was  small  and 
bright  as  a  city  that  is  painted  in  a  book, 
and  the  light  wherewith  it  shone  was  a  light 
of  dawn  and  not  of  sunset. 

And  as  Ywain  looked  upon  the  city  it 
seemed  to  him  that  the  light  was  upon  his 
248 


Alad 


ore 


own  eyes  also,  and  upon  his  mind  and  upon 
his  heart,  and  he  named  the  land  aloud  and 
called  it  Aladore.  And  the  children  that 
were  beside  him  heard  the  word  that  he 
spoke,  and  immediately  they  broke  into  shout- 
ing after  the  manner  of  children,  and  ran 
busily  from  one  to  another  among  themselves : 
and  Ywain  perceived  that  they  would  play 
at  a  game  together,  and  by  seeming  the 
game  was  called  the  game  of  Aladore.  And 
at  the  first  he  marvelled,  but  afterwards  he 
marvelled  no  more,  for  he  remembered  how 
that  it  was  forbidden  to  speak  that  name  in 
all  the  city,  and  how  that  the  desire  of 
children  is  ever  to  do  and  to  say  that  which 
is  forbidden  them. 

Then  he  went  a  little  aside  and  stood 
within  the  gateway  and  looked  forth  to  see 
the  playing  of  that  pastime.  And  he  saw 
how  the  children  departed  them  into  two 
bands,  which  stood  aline  the  one  over  against 
the  other.  And  their  pastime  was  the  sing- 
ing of  a  song:  and  they  sang  it  as  it  were 
249 


Aladore 


an  antiphony,  verse  answering  to  verse,  and 
they  kept  the  time  full  orderly  with  their 
hands  and  with  their  feet.  And  the  verses 
of  the  song  were  in  number  six,  and  the 
words  of  it  were  these — 

To  Aladore,  to  Aladore, 

Who  goes  the  pilgrim  way  ? 

Who  goes  with  us  to  Aladore 
Before  the  dawn  of  day  ? 

O  if  we  go  the  pilgrim  way, 

Tell  us,  tell  us  true. 
How  do  they  make  their  pilgrimage 

That  walk  the  way  with  you  ? 

O  you  must  make  your  pilgrimage 

By  noonday  and  by  night, 
By  seven  years  of  the  hard  hard  road 

And  an  hour  of  starry  light. 

O  if  we  go  by  the  hard  hard  road. 

Tell  us,  tell  us  true, 
What  shall  they  find  in  Aladore 

That  walk  the  way  with  you  ? 

You  shall  find  dreams  in  Aladore, 

All  that  ever  were  known  : 
And  you  shall  dream  in  Aladore 

The  dreams  that  were  your  own. 
250 


Alad 


ore 


O  then,   O  then  to  Aladore, 

We'll  go  the  pilgrim  way, 
To  Aladore,  to  Aladore, 

Before  the  dawn  of  day. 

Now  these  were  all  the  verses  which  the 
children  sang,  but  when  they  had  sung  them 
all,  then  they  sang  the  last  verse  again  and 
yet  again.  And  as  they  sang  they  turned 
them  about,  and  they  went  by  two  and  by 
two  along  the  edge  of  the  green  steep,  after 
the  manner  of  lovers  or  of  friends  which  go 
together  on  pilgrimage :  and  when  Ywain 
saw  that  his  heart  burned  his  eyes,  for  even 
in  the  playing  of  the  children  he  beheld  an 
image  of  his  own  life.  But  they  went  from 
him  quickly,  for  they  continued  still  in  their 
singing  and  their  marching,  and  they  passed 
by  a  tower  that  was  in  the  wall  and  Ywain 
saw  them  no  more.  But  he  heard  their 
singing  far  off,  when  they  were  long  gone 
from  him,  and  at  the  last  he  knew  not 
in  truth  whether  he  heard  it  or  heard  it  not, 
but  only  he  knew  that  the  sound  of  it  was 
still  abiding  with  him. 

251 


CHAPTER    XL. 

HOW  YWAIN   CAME   TO   ALADORE. 

Then  Ywain  went  forth  again  from  the  gate- 
way, and  he  came  to  the  edge  of  the  High 
Steep,  to  the  place  wherein  the  children  had 
their  pastime :  and  there  under  the  trees  he 
began  to  go  to  and  fro,  for  he  was  restless 
by  reason  of  the  song  that  was  yet  in  his 
ears.  And  as  he  went  to  and  fro  the  song 
continued  with  him,  and  it  worked  as  it 
were  an  enchantment  in  his  blood :  for  he 
kept  looking  upon  Aladore,  that  lay  there 
under  the  sky  border,  beyond  the  Shepherdine 
Sands,  and  he  saw  it  in  a  light  that  was  no 
light  of  earth.  And  he  knew  no  longer  where 
he  might  be,  but  the  world  was  lost  and 
vanisht  from  him;  and  his  feet  ceased  from 
252 


Aladore 


going,  and  he  stood  at  gaze,  looking  only 
upon  that  land  of  his  desire. 

Now  at  the  first  it  was  far  off  from  him, 
but  afterwards  he  beheld  it  near  and  clear 
past  telling,  for  it  seemed  to  him  that  power 
came  upon  him  whereby  he  had  vision  of 
things  not  to  be  seen  with  eyes.  And  for 
the  land,  he  saw  that  it  was  in  all  ways 
like  to  the  land  whereon  he  stood,  and  in 
like  shape  it  lay  beside  the  sea  margent,  and 
in  like  manner  it  rose  up  in  a  high  steep, 
green  and  grey,  and  set  with  tall  trees  and 
shadowy.  And  for  the  city,  that  also  was 
of  no  strange  semblance,  for  it  was  in  fashion 
the  very  image  and  counterpart  of  Paladore: 
and  it  was  compassed  with  like  walls  and 
towers,  and  with  like  gardens  and  streets 
enriched  and  diapered. 

But  by  imagination  Ywain  beheld  the  place 
otherwise ;  for  in  his  vision  he  perceived  it 
as  a  city  of  peace,  and  one  that  knew  neither 
strife  nor  evil  custom,  nor  men  of  wood  nor 
men  of  wildfire,  but  only  young  lovers  and 
253 


Alad 


ore 


old  friends  and  folk  of  free  and  gentle  deal- 
ing. And  besides  these  there  were  none 
other,  save  only  fays  and  phantoms:  and 
Ywain  knew  that  it  was  in  all  things  such 
a  city  as  seeing  it  he  would  have  loved  it 
in  his  youth,  and  his  life-days  seemed  to  him 
but  wasted  until  he  should  enter  and  dwell 
therein.  And  therewith  his  spirit  rose  within 
him  and  cried  after  that  land  with  utter 
longing,  for  his  memory  and  his  hope  were 
become  one,  and  he  knew  not  how  to  endure 
them. 

Then  he  started  suddenly  out  of  his  vision 
and  went  down  the  High  Steep  like  a  rolling 
stone,  and  he  came  quickly  with  great  bounds 
to  the  margent  of  the  sea.  And  when  he 
came  there  he  was  aware  of  a  little  ship 
that  lay  upon  the  water,  and  it  was  made 
fast  to  the  shore  with  a  black  rope  and  a 
white,  and  in  it  was  a  mast  and  a  sail,  and 
the  sail  was  party  black  and  white.  And 
Ywain  stayed  not  there,  but  leapt  aboard  and 
hoised  up  the  sail :  and  he  took  the  hermit's 
254 


Alad 


ore 


knife  from  his  breast  and  cut  through  the 
ropes,  both  the  black  and  the  white,  for  they 
were  knotted  strongly  upon  a  ring  of  iron. 
Then  he  took  the  tiller  into  his  hand,  and 
the  ship  began  to  go  swiftly  from  the  shore. 
And  he  looked  towards  Aladore,  and  saw  it 
fair  before  him :  but  how  he  should  come 
there  he  knew  not,  for  he  must  come  first 
into  that  white  and  tumbling  water  of  the 
Shepherdine  Sands. 

Right  so  he  came  flying  amidst  the  Sands 
and  entered  into  the  quick  of  them :  and  the 
ship  staggered  and  went  suddenly  from  under 
him,  and  he  fell  down  and  down  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sea.  And  he  fell  flatling,  and 
sprang  up  again  and  leapt  upon  his  feet :  and 
he  looked  upward,  and  beheld  the  sea,  as  it 
were  above  his  head,  all  white  and  seething. 
And  he  perceived  how  it  was  in  truth  no 
sea  but  mist,  and  belike  it  was  a  mist  of 
faery,  for  it  rolled  and  swirled  above  him  in 
all  semblance  like  to  the  sea,  but  there  was 
in  it  neither  death  nor  darkness. 
255 


Aladore 


Then  he  went  forward  under  the  mist,  and 
as  he  went  it  broke  and  was  made  thin  be- 
fore him,  and  he  saw  green  grass  beneath  his 
feet,  and  over  against  him  a  mount  of  grey 
and  green,  and  he  knew  that  he  was  come 
unto  the  High  Steep  of  Aladore.  And  he 
saw  it  with  no  amazement  but  with  gladness 
only,  for  it  was  with  him  as  with  a  man 
that  has  been  long  voyaging  and  is  return- 
ing at  last  into  his  own  country.  And  he 
loved  the  land  and  greeted  it  in  his  heart  ; 
and  he  found  the  path  and  climbed  upon 
it,  and  came  quickly  to  the  topmost  of  the 
Steep. 

And  as  he  went  climbing,  he  heard  again 
the  song  that  before  was  in  his  ears,  and  at 
the  first  he  knew  not  whether  he  heard  it 
within  him  or  without.  Then  he  saw  above 
him  the  walls  of  the  city  and  the  gate 
therein,  and  before  the  gate  were  children 
playing,  and  the  children  were  the  same 
children  and  their  pastime  was  the  same 
pastime :  for  they  stood  aline  in  two  lines 
256 


Aladore 


and   sang   together   after  the   former  fashion, 
and  the  words  of  their  song  were  these — 

You  shall  find  dreams  in  Aladore, 

All  that  ever  were  known  : 
And  you  shall  dream  in  Aladore 

The  dreams  that  were  your  own. 

Then  when  he  heard  those  words  he  as- 
sented thereto,  and  he  laughed  in  his  heart 
and  so  passed  on :  for  they  seemed  to  him 
nothing  new,  but  he  heard  them  as  it  were 
out  of  childhood  and  sweet  memory.  And 
he  entered  by  the  gateway  and  came  singing 
into  the  city ;  and  the  streets  of  it  were  cool 
and  shining  like  pale  gold,  for  they  were  all 
agleam  with  a  light  mist  of  sunrise. 


■S7 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

HOW  YWAIN  ENTERED  INTO  THE  RHYMER'S 
HERITAGE,  AND  HOW  HE  FOUND  HIS  LADY 
THEREIN. 

Now  as  Ywain  went  into  the  city  he  went 
joyfully,  for  his  heart  was  uplifted,  and  his 
thoughts  were  like  high  white  clouds  in  a 
blue  sky  of  summer.  And  most  of  all  he 
joyed  to  see  the  beauty  of  the  place,  for  the 
form  of  it  was  the  form  of  Paladore,  but  the 
beauty  was  mingled  of  likeness  and  unlike- 
ness.  And  wherever  he  looked,  there  he  saw 
that  which  he  remembered,  and  there  also 
he  saw  that  which  he  remembered  not,  so 
that  his  joy  was  both  old  and  new. 

And   when    he    had    gone    but   a   score    of 

paces   into   the   city,   he   came   to   the    court 

that  lay  before   the   great  Gard,  and   in  the 

entrance  of  it  he  stayed.     And  there  passed 

258 


Alad 


ore 


by  him  two  or  three  which  went  not  in : 
and  he  asked  them  whose  was  the  castle, 
for  he  perceived  that  there  was  a  change 
upon  it.  And  they  answered  him  that  it 
was  no  castle,  but  the  Rhymer's  Hall ;  for 
that  by  the  Rhymer  it  was  long  since  founded 
and  upbuilt.  And  when  they  had  so  an- 
swered they  vanished  from  him  suddenly,  and 
were  gone  as  though  they  had  never  been. 

Then  he  was  astonished  and  pondered  a 
little,  looking  within  the  court.  And  in  the 
court  he  saw  not  the  halberdiers  and  men 
a-horseback  which  had  been  there  aforetime, 
but  upon  the  steps  of  the  castle  he  saw  a 
five  or  six  minstrels  with  their  lutes,  and 
anon  they  sang  and  anon  they  talked  to- 
gether, and  by  seeming  their  talk  was  all 
only  upon  their  lutes  and  upon  their  singing. 

Then  Ywain  came  to  them  and  greeted 
them,  and  said :  How  long  is  this  become  a 
place  of  singing  ?  And  one  of  them  answered 
him  courteously,  and  said  :  Fair  lord,  by  your 
will  we  sing  and  by  your  will  we  are  silent, 
seeing  that  we  are  but  the  servants  of  your 
259 


Alad 


ore 


dream.  And  even  as  Ywain  heard  those 
words  the  minstrels  vanished,  and  there  was 
nothing  of  them  left  in  that  place,  save  a 
little  sound  of  lutestrings  that  lingered  way- 
wardly. 

So  Ywain  entered  into  the  Rhymer's  Hall, 
and  within  door  he  found  the  porter,  and  the 
man  sat  there  reading  upon  a  book.  And 
Ywain  asked  him  :  What  read  you  ?  and  im- 
mediately the  porter  vanished  without  answer 
given,  and  there  was  nought  seen  of  him  but 
his  chair,  and  upon  the  chair  was  the  book 
whereon  he  had  been  reading.  Then  Ywain 
came  near  and  took  up  the  book  and  looked 
within  it :  and  it  was  a  wide  book,  painted 
delicately  with  great  letters  and  with  pictures. 
And  the  picture  that  was  open  before  him 
was  the  picture  of  two  lovers  by  a  garden 
door;  and  the  lady  stood  beside  the  door 
and  leaned  upon  it  with  her  hand  to  open 
it,  but  the  lover  came  to  her  in  habit  of  a 
pilgrim,  and  his  hat  was  broad  above  his 
face,  and  shadowed  it.  And  Ywain's  heart 
quickened  as  he  looked :  for  the  lady  was  his 
260 


Alad 


ore 


own  lady,  and  she  stood  there  as  living  as 
the  leaves  in  spring. 

Then  he  laid  the  book  upon  the  chair 
and  left  it  lying,  and  he  went  through  the 
Rhymer's  Hall  from  end  to  end,  and  through 
all  the  courts  of  it  and  out  beyond.  And  he 
came  by  a  pleached  alley  to  a  close,  and 
looked  across  the  close :  and  upon  the  far 
side  of  it  was  a  wall  of  stone,  and  in  the 
wall  was  a  carven  doorway,  and  a  door  of 
wood.  And  there  before  the  doorway  stood 
Aithne  in  the  morning  gold,  and  she  laid  her 
hand  against  the  door  and  looked  a  little 
downward,  as  one  that  is  waiting  and  mus- 
ing. And  when  Ywain  came  to  her  she  spoke 
no  word,  but  she  turned  away  and  led  him 
through  the  doorway,  and  the  door  fell  back 
and  closed  behind  them :  and  it  closed  full 
slowly,  but  at  the  last  there  was  a  small 
noise  of  clanking  and  the  bar  went  home 
into  the  notch. 

And  that  noise  was  sweet  in  Ywain's  ears, 
for  it  seemed  to  shut  the  world  away,  and 
he  went  to  his  lady  as  one  that  comes  to 
261 


Alad 


ore 


his  own  land  after  long  captivity.  And  little 
they  spoke  in  words,  but  they  looked  each 
at  other,  and  his  eyes  were  to  her  like  two 
bright  spears  levelled  in  battle,  and  her  eyes 
were  to  him  like  a  valley  at  evening,  when 
the  smoke  goes  up  into  the  twilight. 

Then  at  the  last  he  said  to  her :  What 
then  is  this  place  ?  And  she  said :  It  was 
the  Rhymer's  heritage,  and  now  is  mine ;  and 
that  which  is  mine  is  yours,  for  you  have 
found  it  out  and  taken  it.  And  belike  it 
was  yours  from  the  beginning,  for  it  is  you 
that  have  made  it  anew,  and  you  are  the 
master  of  your  dream.  And  as  she  spoke 
those  words  a  fear  came  suddenly  upon  him 
lest  she  also  should  vanish  and  be  gone  from 
him.  And  he  would  have  cried  aloud  of  his 
fear,  but  she  laid  her  hand  upon  his  mouth 
and  laughed  and  stayed  him  from  uttering. 
And  she  said :  I  know  your  thought,  and 
vain  it  is :  for  your  dream  and  mine  are  one 
and  not  two,  as  they  were  aforetime,  but  each 
in  other  we  have  our  home  and  our  abiding. 
262 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

HOW  YWAIN  AND  AITHNE  WERE  GIVEN  EACH 
TO  OTHER,  AND  HOW  THEY  WERE  WEDDED 
BY  THE    FREEDOM    OF   ALADORE. 

Then  Ywain  stood  still  and  mused,  looking 
down  upon  the  grass  about  his  feet :  and  he 
mused  upon  his  pilgrimage  whereby  he  had 
at  last  come  hither.  And  Aithne  asked  him 
of  his  musing,  and  he  answered  her  not,  but 
he  said :  Tell  me,  O  my  beloved,  when  shall 
be  the  end  of  this  my  pilgrimage?  And  she 
answered  :  It  is  ended,  for  the  shrine  is  found, 
and  the  lamp  of  the  world  is  lit  afresh.  But 
he  asked  her  again :  By  what  token  shall  I 
have  certainty  of  this  ?  And  she  said :  By 
a  flame  and  by  a  gift,  for  by  those  tokens  is 
love  confirmed  of  all  lovers  both  of  old  and 
for  ever.  Then  his  blood  beat  and  his  throat 
263 


Al  adore 


trembled  and  he  said:  Yea,  beloved,  but  it 
may  yet  be  far  to  the  hour  of  giving.  And 
she  also  trembled  and  said:  The  hour  of 
giving  is  the  hour  of  starlight,  and  between 
the  sunsetting  and  the  moonrising  it  will  be 
here.  Then  Ywain  looked  again  upon  the 
ground  and  he  saw  beside  his  feet  the  long 
morning  shadows,  and  he  said :  It  is  far,  O 
my  beloved.  And  she  said :  Nay,  but  have 
I  not  told  you,  that  all  things  here  are  yours, 
for  that  you  only  are  the  master  of  the 
dream  ? 

Then  with  her  hand  she  pointed  to  the 
shadows  upon  the  grass,  and  they  were  two 
shadows  that  were  as  one,  and  they  lay  upon 
a  wide  and  open  space.  And  Ywain  looked 
again  upon  them  and  was  amazed :  for  the 
shadows  drew  in  apace,  and  they  went  round 
him  as  the  finger  goes  upon  the  dial,  save 
that  they  went  a  forty  times  more  quickly. 
And  he  asked  of  his  lady :  What  mean  these 
shadows,  for  they  are  gone  from  the  West 
into  the  East.  And  she  answered  him  softly : 
264 


Aladore 


O  my  lord,  see  you  not  that  you  are  master 
even  of  the  sun  in  heaven  ?  And  she  looked 
stilly  into  his  eyes,  and  a  little  wind  of  even- 
ing blew  cool  upon  him. 

Then  she  took  him  by  the  hand  and  led 
him  within  the  house,  and  she  brought  him 
to  an  upper  room  and  to  a  window  therein 
which  looked  upon  the  city.  And  the  window 
was  wide  open,  and  without  it  was  a  gallery 
of  stone ;  and  Ywain  held  his  lady's  hand 
and  went  forward  upon  the  gallery.  Then 
he  looked  down,  and  saw  beneath  him  the 
courtyard  full  of  folk,  and  the  place  was  filled 
with  the  thronging  of  them,  and  the  street 
beyond  the  gates  was  filled  also.  And  at  the 
first  the  folk  were  silent  and  shadowy,  and 
the  twilight  gathered  thick  upon  them :  and 
Ywain  looked  hard  among  them,  peering  to 
see  if  by  their  faces  he  might  know  them. 
And  by  one  and  by  two  he  knew  them,  and 
there  were  by  seeming  in  that  place  the  faces 
of  all  men  and  women  that  he  had  known 
in  all  his  life-days. 

265 


Aladore 


Then  pity  came  upon  him  in  a  moment, 
and  great  pain :  for  he  saw  them  as  folk  lost 
and  gone  from  him,  and  he  would  have  had 
them  to  be  partakers  in  his  joy.  And  in  that 
moment  came  a  light  of  sunset  into  the  sky, 
and  it  glowed  upon  the  faces  of  them  that 
were  before  him :  and  they  cried  all  together 
and  called  him  by  his  name,  giving  him 
friendship  and  honour.  And  Ywain  shut  to 
his  eyes,  for  there  was  that  which  burned 
them  hotly :  and  when  he  looked  forth  again 
there  was  neither  face  nor  form  of  any  man, 
but  only  a  sound  as  of  folk  departing. 

Then  Ywain  said  to  Aithne :  Are  there  not 
also  some  within  doors  in  this  place,  that  I 
may  do  them  courtesy  ?  And  she  answered  : 
They,  too,  are  of  the  bordure  of  your  dream. 
So  she  brought  him  within,  and  they  went 
towards  the  great  hall,  and  there  went  with 
them  lights  and  trumpets.  And  when  they 
came  to  the  hall  they  found  there  a  great 
company  of  knights  sitting  at  feast  together: 
and  the  knights  were  in  number  a  hundred, 
266 


Aladore 


and  they  were  all  they  which  in  their  time 
had  sought  the  Lady  Aithne  and  her  love, 
and  their  feasting  was  full  sombre  and 
courteous.  And  when  they  saw  Ywain  and 
Aithne  they  rose  up  and  did  them  reverence, 
and  they  gathered  about  them  and  spoke 
many  things  of  honour  and  of  farewell. 

Then  Ywain  gave  them  thanks  with  the 
like  honour,  and  immediately  they  faded  from 
before  him,  and  with  them  the  lights  also 
faded  and  fell  to  darkness.  And  in  the  hall 
was  none  left  with  Ywain  and  Aithne,  save 
one  child  only :  and  the  child  was  nowise 
strange  to  them,  for  it  was  he  which  had 
been  the  beginner  of  their  pilgrimage.  And 
in  his  hand  was  a  torch  burning,  and  he  bore 
it  up  before  them,  and  about  them  the  shadows 
went  dancing  upon  the  walls  and  upon  the 
roof :  and  he  went  down  the  hall,  and  they 
two  followed  after  him  with  hand  in  hand, 
and  so  he  brought  them  to  the  chamber  where 
they  should  be  wed.  And  when  they  were 
come  there  he  turned  his  torch  downwards 
267 


Alad 


ore 


to  quench  it  upon  the  floor:  and  the  flame 
of  it  vanished  and  the  child  therewith,  and 
the  place  was  lit  by  starlight  only. 

But  in  the  chamber  was  also  a  little  glow- 
ing as  of  embers,  and  Ywain  saw  there  an 
altar  of  bronze:  and  it  seemed  to  him  right 
ancient,  as  a  thing  made  in  the  time  out  of 
mind.  And  beside  the  altar  was  a  platter  of 
meal  and  a  cup  of  red  wine  standing:  and 
Aithne  took  the  meal  into  her  hand,  and  in 
like  manner  Ywain  took  the  wine.  And  they 
two  stood  beside  the  altar  on  this  side  and 
on  that,  and  sprinkled  it  with  meal  and  wine ; 
and  there  went  up  from  it  two  bright  flames 
of  fire,  a  red  and  a  white,  and  they  spired 
up  and  were  entwined  together  so  that  they 
were  two  colours  but  one  only  flame. 

Then  Ywain  looked  upon  his  beloved  and 
said :  The  flame  is  here  truly,  but  where  is 
the  gift?  And  she  also  looked  steadfastly 
upon  him  and  answered  him  :  The  gift  is  here, 
but  it  is  yours  to  show  first  the  manner  of 
the  giving.  And  thereat  he  took  her  by  the 
268 


Aladore 


hand  and  said :  Here  in  free  marriage  I  give 
thee  the  body  of  me,  my  life  with  thy  life, 
my  blood  with  thy  blood,  my  dust  with  thy 
dust  to  be  mingled  and  made  one.  Then  with 
a  low  voice  she  said  after  him  the  same  words. 
And  he  said  again  :  Here  also  I  give  thee  the 
heart  of  me,  my  love  with  thy  love,  my  hope 
with  thy  hope,  my  sorrow  with  thy  sorrow 
to  be  mingled  and  made  one.  And  those 
words  also  she  spoke  in  like  manner.  Then 
he  said  the  third  time :  Here  also  do  I  witness 
that  I  have  given  thee  long  since  the  spirit 
of  me,  to  be  thy  friend  and  fellow  to  the  end 
of  pilgrimage.  Yea,  she  said,  and  thereafter : 
and  with  thee  and  with  all  spirits  to  be 
mingled  and  made  one. 

Then  she  said  again  as  to  herself  only: 
Now  am  I  wedded  by  the  freedom  of  Aladore, 
and  so  is  my  promise  fulfilled.  And  when 
she  had  said  that  she  fell  suddenly  to  weeping. 
And  she  went  to  the  window  and  leaned  upon 
the  sill,  and  Ywain  came  near,  and  he  saw 
her  tears  falling  bright  under  the  starlight. 
269 


Aladore 


And  he  was  both  sorry  and  afraid,  and  he 
took  her  in  his  arms  and  asked  her  many 
times  wherefore  she  wept,  and  she  told  him 
not.  And  at  the  last  she  said  :  That  will  I  tell 
you,  but  not  now :  and  I  weep  not  for  sorrow 
but  for  remembrance.  Then  he  solaced  her 
with  comfort  of  strength  and  of  silence :  and 
afterwards  they  went  joyfully  to  their  wedding 
and  to  their  rest.  And  the  moon  rose  on  Ala- 
dore, and  they  saw  her  not :  for  they  slept  as 
it  had  been  the  sleep  of  childhood. 


270 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

HOW  AITHNE  SHOWED  YWAIN  OF  THE  EN- 
CHANTMENTS OF  THE  RHYMER,  AND  OF 
THEM   WHICH    DO   THEREAFTER. 

So  in  this  wise  Ywain  and  Aithne  fulfilled 
their  youth,  and  they  entered  into  newness 
of  life.  And  they  endured  no  more  the  fear 
of  time,  for  in  Aladore  are  days  and  seasons, 
but  no  count  of  them :  and  there  is  there 
neither  change  nor  perishing. 

Now  on  a  day  it  befell  that  they  two  stood 
together  at  dawn,  looking  upon  the  sea :  and 
the  sun  rose  out  of  the  sea  and  went  swiftly 
up  the  sky.  And  Ywain  looked  upon  the 
sea,  and  he  saw  it  bright  and  clear  even  to 
the  farthest  border,  and  there  was  neither 
land  nor  cloud  upon  it,  but  gold  only  and 
271 


Aladore 


a  void  space  above  the  gold.  And  thereat  he 
was  astonished,  and  he  asked  of  Aithne : 
Where  then  is  Paladore?  for  I  came  thence 
by  no  long  voyage.  And  she  smiled  a 
little  and  answered  him :  Let  be,  dear 
love,  for  it  is  not  far  off:  and  as  much 
thereof  as  was  yours,  so  much  is  yours 
still,  for  so  much  you  brought  hither 
when  you  came.  And  this  is  the  law  of 
Aladore,  that  in  it  hath  every  man  his  own 
and  nothing  less :  yea  rather  he  hath  more, 
for  unto  his  own  vision  are  added  many  great 
enchantments.  Then  said  Ywain  :  Which  be 
these  enchantments  ?  And  she  answered : 
They  are  the  enchantments  of  the  Rhymer, 
that  was  a  wizard  indeed:  and  his  magic 
he  left  to  all  such  as  are  able  for  it,  unto 
the  world's  end ;  and  many  there  be  of 
them. 

Then  she  took  Ywain  up  into  a  high  tower, 

and   so    forth   upon   the   battlements   thereof, 

and   she    said :    Look    now    and    behold    the 

sorrows  of  Gudrun,  for  she  loved  much  and 

272 


Alad 


ore 


suffered  many  things,  and  her  end  was  full 
of  right  piteous  remembrance.  And  Ywain 
looked  down  from  the  battlements,  and  he 
saw  a  steep  coast  and  a  river  which  ran 
swiftly  to  a  western  sea.  And  there  lay  hard 
by  the  river  a  steading  upon  a  knole  amidst 
the  vale,  and  it  nourished  plenteously  both 
sheep  and  kine.  And  an  old  man  he  saw 
which  dwelt  therein,  and  five  boys  that  were 
his  sons,  and  one  more  that  was  his  brother's 
son  :  and  all  they  went  among  the  cattle,  and 
rode  by  hill  and  by  dale.  And  Ywain  looked 
further,  by  a  seven  mile,  and  he  saw  yet 
another  steading  amidst  the  grey  slopes,  and 
there  also  was  an  old  man  dwelling,  and  five 
sons,  and  a  daughter  thereto :  and  these 
men  likewise  went  among  the  cattle  and 
rode  by  hill  and  by  dale,  and  the  maiden  tended 
them  within  the  hall.  And  Ywain  saw  how 
the  folk  would  come  and  go  between  the 
steadings,  and  how  in  their  dealing  there 
would  be  love  and  strife  among  them. 

Then  Aithne  asked  of  him  ;  What  see  you  ? 
s  273 


A]  adore 


And  he  told  her  of  that  which  he  saw.  And 
she  said:  Not  so  shall  be  your  vision,  for 
though  by  your  deeming  these  are  but  country 
folk,  and  their  land  a  little  land  and  a  barren, 
yet  is  your  deeming  vain,  and  their  life  is 
greater  than  you  know.  Look  therefore  again, 
and  by  enchantment  shall  your  eyes  be  made 
clear  to  see  them. 

Then  Ywain  looked  again,  and  as  he  looked 
a  voice  was  in  his  ears,  and  his  heartstrings 
rung  deeply  thereto,  for  they  were  plucked 
and  quivering  as  beneath  the  hand  of  a 
strong  harper.  And  now  he  saw  that  land 
after  another  fashion :  for  he  saw  it  as  a 
strange  and  awful  land,  and  the  folk  of  it 
as  a  folk  beset  with  fearful  things,  yet  fearing 
nought,  as  men  in  the  hollow  of  God's  hand. 
And  as  folk  loving  and  beloved  he  saw  them, 
and  strong  and  uncomplaining  and  com- 
passionate, yet  also  working  wild  deeds,  after 
the  manner  of  men.  For  he  saw  young 
Kiartan  the  Icelander,  and  Bodli  that  was 
his  friend  and  fellow,  and  Gudrun  that  was 
274 


Aladore 


beloved  of  them  both :  and  the  double  skein 
of  their  love  was  tangled  and  broken  in  his 
sight. 

And  first  the  voice  showed  him  all  the  love 
of  Kiartan  and  Gudrun,  and  how  Kiartan 
came  daily  from  Herdholt  by  moor  and  dale 
unto  the  house  of  Bathstead,  wherein  Gudrun 
dwelt :  and  how  her  heart  fluttered  joyfully 
at  hearing  of  his  footfall :  and  long  they 
talked  together,  and  at  evening  departed 
hardly  each  from  other.  And  their  very 
parting  was  sweet,  for  in  that  moment  the 
veil  of  time  would  fall  away  from  before 
them,  so  that  they  saw  love  whole  and  with- 
out cloud. 

Then  the  voice  bade  Ywain  see  the  pride 
of  Kiartan,  whereby  he  went  adventuring 
over  sea.  And  he  saw  how  Kiartan  came 
across  the  foam  to  Norroway,  and  there 
lingered  by  the  space  of  three  good  years, 
making  pastime  of  another  love.  And  that 
was  the  love  of  Ingibiorg,  that  was  King 
Olaf  s  daughter :  yet  at  the  last  he  left  her 
275 


Alad 


ore 


also  and  returned,  howbeit  he  returned  not 
till  it  was  too  late. 

And  the  voice  showed  Ywain  all  the  sorrows 
of  Bodli,  Thorleik's  son :  for  he  was  of  all 
her  lovers  the  man  which  most  loved  Gudrun. 
And  Ywain  saw  him  come  alone  from  Norro- 
way  with  tidings  of  Kiartan  and  of  Ingibiorg ; 
and  thereby  he  wedded  Gudrun  and  fulfilled 
his  longing  and  his  doom. 

Then  Ywain's  heart  trembled  with  pity  and 
with  terror :  for  he  saw  how  Kiartan  came 
again  after  three  years,  and  found  Gudrun 
gone  from  him  utterly  and  given  to  his 
friend.  And  upon  Kiartan  also  came  despair, 
as  it  had  come  before  upon  Gudrun :  so  that 
he  turned  him  to  Refna  and  wedded  where 
he  had  no  heart's  desire.  And  thereafter  fell 
great  bitterness  between  Herdholt  and  Bath- 
stead,  and  though  there  was  love  still  between 
Bodli  and  Kiartan,  yet  was  there  death  also 
by  the  custom  of  men. 

For  on  a  dark  road  among  the  hills  came 
Kiartan  riding  with  two  more :  and  there  met 
276 


Aladore 


him  all  the  five  brothers  of  Gudrun,  and  Bodli 
with  them.  And  Ywain  saw  how  Kiartan 
fought  strongly  with  Gudrun's  kin,  and  Bodli 
stood  apart :  yet  at  the  last  he  might  not 
forsake  the  men  of  his  own  house.  And  he 
drew  near  the  fighting  and  thrust  his  sword 
into  the  side  of  Kiartan  whom  he  loved.  And 
Ywain  knew  that  he  had  slain  therewith  his 
own  soul  also. 

Then  said  the  voice  to  Ywain  that  he  should 
look  once  more  upon  Gudrun,  for  that  she 
lived  long  afterwards  when  the  rest  were 
gone  their  way.  And  Ywain  saw  her  as  an 
old  and  sightless  dame,  and  she  sat  within 
her  bower  at  evening.  And  it  was  summer, 
with  hay  in  field,  and  the  carles  sang  as 
they  went  homeward:  and  the  sea  murmured 
below,  and  above  was  a  chapel  on  the  hill, 
with  bells  which  rang  therein.  And  Gudrun 
sat  there  with  her  son,  that  was  the  son  of 
Bodli :  and  he  asked  her  of  those  whom  she 
had  loved,  which  was  most  loved.  And  she 
told  him  in  no  plain  words,  but  in  a  dark 
277 


Alad 


ore 


and  sorrowful  saying :  for  she  that  was  bhnd 
and  old  saw  again  Herdholt  and  her  youth, 
and  the  deeds  that  she  had  done  therein. 

Then  the  voice  ceased,  and  the  vision : 
and  Ywain  looked  upon  Aithne.  And  he 
would  have  spoken,  but  he  could  not,  for  his 
voice  was  choked  within  his  throat.  And 
she  smiled  tenderly  upon  him,  as  one  that 
has  understanding  of  pain,  and  therewith  she 
gave  her  hand  into  his  hand :  and  presently 
he  spoke  and  said:  What  is  this  place,  and 
whose  is  the  voice  which  I  heard  ? 

And  she  said:  It  is  the  Rhymer's  Tower, 
and  the  voice  is  the  voice  of  one  which  had 
the  Rhymer's  magic.  For  there  are  here 
many  voices,  and  all  to  your  solace :  and  by 
them  is  the  world  re-made  after  the  fashion 
of  life  enduring. 


278 


CHAPTER    XLIV. 

HOW  YWAIN  BEHELD  HIS  LADY  SLEEPING, 
AND  HOW  HE  DESIRED  TO  SEE  THE 
CASTLE   OF    KERIOC. 

So  Ywain  dwelt  in  a  land  of  enchantments, 
and  had  his  will  thereof  continually.  And 
many  things  he  devised  for  his  joyance,  and 
one  thing  beyond  all  other.  For  it  befell 
him  on  a  day  that  he  awoke  at  dawn,  and 
thereafter  came  the  sunrise  and  made  light 
the  chamber  where  he  was.  And  he  turned 
him  and  looked  upon  Aithne,  thereas  she  lay 
still  sleeping :  and  her  face  was  fresh  and 
clear  and  tranquil  as  the  face  of  a  little  maid 
in  her  flower  of  youth.  And  as  Ywain  looked 
upon  her  his  heart  was  pricked  through  with 
a  sudden  pain :  for  he  saw  her  as  she  had 
279 


Aladore 


been  aforetime,  in  the  days  when  she  was 
no  lady  of  his.  And  the  pain  was  sharp, 
for  wellnigh  he  forgot  that  which  he  knew 
of  her,  and  thought  only  on  that  which  he 
knew  not,  and  he  perceived  that  he  could 
never  come  thereto,  except  he  should  go 
behind  the  back  of  time. 

Then  Aithne  awoke  and  saw  him  looking 
down  upon  her,  and  she  said :  O  my  beloved, 
why  look  you  so  darkly  upon  me  ?  And  he 
said :  Great  things  have  you  given  me,  and 
great  enchantments  have  you  showed  me, 
but  one  thing  I  lack  that  you  have  held 
from  me.  Then  she  asked  of  him :  What 
have  I  held  from  you,  or  what  will  you  ask 
of  me  that  I  will  not  give  you  presently  ? 
And  he  was  glad  of  that  word  and  made 
request  of  her,  saying :  I  beseech  you  that 
you  bring  me  into  the  Castle  of  Kerioc, 
wherein  you  were  born  and  nurtured :  for 
except  I  see  the  manner  of  your  youth 
therein  I  am  not  wholly  mingled  with  your 
life. 

280 


Aladore 


And  when  she  heard  him  she  laughed  and 
loved  him  in  her  heart,  for  that  which  he 
asked  was  pleasing  to  her.  And  she  said  to 
him  :  Go  now  and  have  your  will,  for  your 
request  is  granted  you.  And  you  shall  go 
by  the  way  of  yesterday,  and  enter  into  the 
garden  close  and  come  thence  into  the  place 
beyond.  And  you  shall  stand  therein,  look- 
ing upon  the  ground  and  speaking  no  word 
save  one  word  that  is  your  name,  and  that 
you  shall  say  aloud  by  a  hundred  times  and 
one.  So  prove  your  adventure  and  come 
again  to  me ;  for  until  you  come  I  am 
alone. 

Then  Ywain  kissed  her  thrice  and  went 
out :  and  he  went  by  the  way  of  the  garden 
close  and  came  to  the  place  beyond.  And 
he  stood  and  looked  downward  upon  the 
ground  and  spoke  his  own  name  aloud,  and 
when  he  had  spoken  it  but  a  score  of  times 
then  his  name  was  his  name  no  longer,  but 
a  sound  without  sense  and  void.  And  he 
knew   that    the   place   was    changed  wherein 


Aladore 


he  stood:  and  he  looked  up  and  saw  the 
sea  hard  by  him,  and  by  the  sea  was  a  castle 
both  great  and  ancient.  And  he  went  for- 
ward boldly  and  entered  into  the  castle  with- 
out help  or  hindrance. 

Then  he  went  spying  out  all  things  within 
the  castle,  and  he  found  it  rich  and  well 
beseen :  and  folk  there  were  therein,  but  they 
took  no  heed  of  him,  no  more  than  if  he 
had  not  been.  And  at  the  last  he  heard  a 
voice  singing  and  coming  towards  him :  and 
presently  there  came  to  him  a  little  maid. 
And  she  left  singing,  and  looked  curiously 
upon  him,  as  one  that  knew  him  not.  Then 
his  heart  was  buffeted  within  him,  for  she 
was  the  maid  which  he  sought,  but  he  per- 
ceived that  she  had  of  him  neither  love  nor 
knowledge. 

And  he  said  to  her :  Of  a  surety  you  are 
Aithne :  but  where  is  she  which  is  my  lady  in 
Aladore  ?  And  the  child  looked  upon  him 
with  clear  eyes,  and  she  answered  him  in  a 
little  voice  and  sweet :  Sir  Stranger,  you  come 
282 


Aladore 


hither  too  late :  for  long  ago  she  is  grown  up 
and  gone  away. 

Then  fear  came  upon  him,  and  he  longed  to 
be  with  his  own  again  ;  and  he  woke  as  from  a 
vain  dream,  and  stood  in  his  chamber  whence 
he  had  gone  forth.  And  before  him  was  his 
lady  in  her  own  image,  and  her  kisses  were 
still  upon  his  lips :  and  she  lay  looking  upon 
him  in  the  sunlight  and  her  eyes  were  filled 
with  love  and  with  laughter. 


a83 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

HOW  YWAIN  FOUND  AGAIN  HIM  WHICH  WAS 
FORGOTTEN  IN  ALADORE,  AND  HOW  HE 
HEARD   A   RING   OF   BELLS   AT   MIDNIGHT. 

Thereafter  came  Ywain  many  times  into 
the  castle  of  Kerioc,  and  Aithne  with  him. 
For  she  loved  greatly  to  have  him  there,  not- 
withstanding that  she  had  good  game  at  him 
when  he  went  thither  the  first  time :  and  in 
especial  she  would  have  him  there  in  winter 
at  the  time  of  Yule.  For  that  castle  stands 
by  the  very  margent  of  the  sea  upon  a  high 
rock ;  and  it  is  in  fashion  like  to  an  island,  for 
on  the  one  side  it  is  set  high  above  the  land 
and  on  the  other  side  it  goes  down  steeply 
toward  the  shore.  And  the  wind  of  winter 
goes  over  it  from  the  land ^ seaward :  and  on 
the  shore  is  warm  lying  among  the  sand-hills 
284 


Aladore 


which  are  beneath  the  castle.  And  above  the 
sand-hills  is  a  postern  gate  and  steps  of  stone : 
and  thereby  came  Ywain  and  Aithne  many 
times  unto  the  shore  at  midnight,  that  they 
might  see  the  stars  and  hear  the  crying  of  the 
birds.  For  the  sea-birds  cry  about  that  place 
with  a  sweet  cry  and  a  sad,  and  in  the  dark- 
ness they  draw  near  and  are  not  seen,  as  it 
were  the  souls  of  the  beloved. 

So  after  this  wise  Ywain  and  Aithne  came 
and  went,  and  they  took  of  all  seasons  such 
days  as  they  would,  and  lived  carelessly :  for 
they  were  as  those  which  have  more  than  they 
can  spend.  And  after  certain  times  it  was  so 
with  Ywain  that  he  remembered  no  longer  the 
days  when  he  knew  not  Kerioc;  for  his  life 
was  changed  and  deepened  as  a  river  is 
deepened  when  twain  flow  together  in  one. 
And  he  desired  no  more,  save  that  he  might 
always  so  continue :  for  he  forgot  that  the 
road  of  his  pilgrimage  was  not  yet  passed 
beyond  the  gateway  of  death,  yet  at  the  last 
he  remembered  it  perforce. 

For  upon  a  day  he  wandered  alone  in  the 
285 


A]  adore 


castle  of  Kerioc,  and  by  chance  he  came  into 
a  crypt  that  was  thereunder ;  and  in  the  crypt 
he  spied  a  door,  which  was  well  locked  and 
made  fast  so  that  he  could  not  open  it.  Then 
he  came  to  Aithne  and  said :  What  is  this 
door,  whereof  you  gave  me  not  the  key  ?  For 
all  other  keys  she  had  given  him  save  this 
one  only.  And  she  denied  not,  but  answered 
him  plainly,  and  she  counselled  him  that  he 
should  forbear  that  door.  But  when  she  saw 
that  he  would  not  forbear  then  she  gave  him 
the  key,  and  she  said  to  him :  Go  now  and 
take  your  way,  for  it  is  a  man's  way,  and  it 
may  be  that  your  heart  shall  be  stronger  than 
your  head  to  serve  you.  And  if  not,  then 
must  I  endure  it,  for  I  knew  long  since  how 
this  should  be.  And  Ywain  perceived  how 
she  spoke  to  him ;  and  she  spoke  with  love 
and  mirth,  and  in  the  mirth  was  a  little 
sorrow  :  but  he  put  by  the  sorrow  and  took 
hold  on  the  mirth,  and  so  kissed  her  and  went 
his  way.  And  he  came  to  the  door  and  opened 
it,  and  within  were  bare  chambers  of  rock,  in 
manner  of  dungeons.  And  in  one  chamber  he 
286 


Aladore 


perceived  a  dim  light,  and  when  he  was  come 
there  he  saw  a  lamp  of  bronze  hanging,  and 
beneath  it  an  old  man  on  a  chair  of  black 
stone ;  and  his  beard  was  long  and  white,  and 
it  fell  over  his  knees  as  a  stream  falls  over  a 
mountain-side.  And  when  he  saw  him  Ywain 
trembled,  for  his  heart  misgave  him  who  the 
old  man  should  be. 

Then  Ywain  said  to  him  :  Sir,  forgive  me, 
for  I  came  hither  unknowing.  And  the  old 
man  answered  him :  My  son,  this  long  time 
that  you  have  been  in  Aladore,  you  do  all 
things  unknowing.  And  Ywain  said  thereto : 
Yet  my  life  I  know,  and  my  own  gladness : 
for  this  a  man  cannot  but  know,  and  it  suffices 
me.  Then  the  old  man  looked  hard  upon 
Ywain,  and  his  eyes  were  like  grey  stones, 
and  the  weight  of  them  sank  into  Ywain's  eyes 
and  lay  heavy  upon  his  heart.  And  he  said  to 
Ywain :  You  speak  also  unknowing,  for  in 
Aladore  is  no  substance  of  truth,  but  all  is 
dream.  And  this  for  you  is  Kerioc,  and  the 
seventh  winter  that  you  are  herein :  but  I 
tell  you  that  all  is  dream.  For  since  you  for- 
287 


Alad 


ore 


got  Paladore  it  is  not  yet  seven  days :  and  as 
for  Kerioc  it  is  there  where  it  was  aforetime, 
beside  the  forest  of  Broceliande. 

Then  Ywain  hardened  his  heart,  and  he  said 
to  the  old  man :  Sir,  I  have  heard  your  saying 
and  I  understand  it  not :  for  I  am  here,  and  in 
my  right  mind,  and  therein  is  the  substance  of 
truth  for  every  man.  And  the  old  man  said : 
Not  so,  but  you  shall  awake  and  know  your 
dream.  And  I  will  give  you  a  token :  and 
the  token  shall  be  when  you  shall  hear  the 
bells  of  Paladore  ringing  midnight  in  your 
ears. 

Then  was  Ywain  angered  against  the  old 
man,  for  he  feared  his  saying :  and  he  left  him 
suddenly  and  went  out,  and  locked  the  door 
fiercely  upon  him.  And  he  came  to  Aithne 
and  said  no  word :  and  she  perceived  how  he 
was  lost  in  trouble.  Then  she  spoke  gently 
to  him :  Tell  me  your  thought,  for  I  perceive 
that  you  have  found  again  him  that  was  for- 
gotten. Then  Ywain  told  her  of  the  old  man 
and  of  his  great  beard,  and  of  his  eyes,  and 
of  his  evil  saying :  and  he  told  her  with  many 
288 


Al  adore 


words,  for  he  was  angry  and  afraid.  And 
she  also  was  afraid,  for  she  had  seen  that 
old  man  aforetime,  and  found  no  force  against 
him.  But  now  she  took  her  lute  and  made 
a  song  of  him  :  and  when  he  heard  the  song 
then  was  Ywain  brought  again  into  his  former 
mind,  as  for  that  time,  but  Aithne  doubted 
within  herself. 

Then  within  a  while  the  day  drew  in  and 
the  sun  set  on  Kerioc  and  on  all  the  lands 
of  Aladore.  And  Ywain  and  Aithne  laid 
them  to  their  rest :  and  Aithne  slept  deep 
and  stirred  not,  but  Ywain  awoke  suddenly. 
And  he  found  darkness  on  all  things  and  no 
light  at  all,  for  moon  there  was  none,  and 
the  stars  were  hid  in  mist.  And  for  a  while 
he  lay  still  and  moved  not,  but  his  mind 
moved  continually,  and  it  led  him  hither 
and  thither  until  he  was  perplexed  and  weary. 
And  in  an  evil  moment  he  thought  on  that 
old  man  which  he  had  seen :  and  instantly 
he  heard  a  sound  of  bells,  and  he  knew  that 
they  were  the  bells  of  Paladore,  for  they  were 
sounding  midnight.  Then  he  started  up  in 
T  289 


Aladore 


fear  and  went  softly  out  of  the  chamber,  for 
he  said  within  himself  that  he  would  walk 
upon  the  shore  and  come  again,  and  so  ease 
him  of  his  thought. 

So  he  came  to  the  postern  and  opened  it, 
and  went  down  upon  the  sand-hills,  and  he 
wandered  to  and  fro  thereon  without  respect 
of  mind  or  body:  and  at  the  last  he  was 
fordone  with  weariness,  and  set  him  down 
to  rest,  and  right  so  he  fell  to  forgetfulness 
and  sleep.  And  when  he  awoke  the  second 
time  it  was  grey  dawn,  and  the  mist  was 
still  upon  the  sea:  and  he  turned  him  about 
and  looked  up  that  he  might  see  the  castle 
of  Kerioc.  And  he  saw  neither  shape  nor 
sign  of  it,  nor  any  way  of  his  returning :  but 
he  saw  instead  a  high  steep,  grey  and  green, 
and  walls  and  towers  thereon.  Then  the 
mist  began  to  depart  from  before  his  eyes, 
and  he  knew  the  place  as  a  man  knows 
again  the  face  which  he  had  forgotten.  And 
his  heart  failed  within  him,  and  the  sun  rose 
on  Paladore. 

290 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

HOW    YWAIN    WAS    COUNSELLED    OF   THE 
PRINCE    OF    PALADORE. 

Then  Ywain  came  to  the  height  of  the  steep, 
and  there  before  the  gate  he  stood  in  doubt, 
for  he  knew  not  whither  he  should  go.  And 
in  his  doubt  his  feet  drew  him  unwittingly, 
and  he  looked  up  suddenly  and  saw  the  Great 
Gard  and  the  courtyard  which  was  before  it. 
And  the  courtyard  was  as  it  had  been  afore- 
time, with  halberdiers  before  the  door  and 
men  a- horseback  in  their  armour:  and  the 
Rhymer's  Hall  and  the  minstrels  and  all  his 
dealings  therein  seemed  but  an  old  vision  or 
a  show  which  had  passed  into  memory.  Not- 
withstanding he  doubted  even  of  his  misery : 
for  he  said  within  himself:  Surely  this  also 
291 


Aladore 


is  a  dream,  and  there  beyond  the  garden 
close  is  my  lady  waiting  until  I  come  to  her. 

Then  he  went  towards  the  door,  and  one 
came  thereout  to  meet  him :  and  Ywain  per- 
ceived that  it  was  Sir  Rainald,  and  he  would 
have  passed  by  with  such  courtesy  as  might 
suffice.  But  Sir  Rainald  stayed  him  and  took 
him  by  the  hand,  and  he  said  to  Ywain  how 
that  it  was  even  he  whom  he  sought  and 
none  other:  for  the  Prince  would  speak  with 
him  of  certain  matters.  And  of  these  matters, 
he  said,  I  will  tell  you  this  much,  by  way 
of  friendship :  and  namely,  that  the  Prince, 
which  is  your  master  and  liege,  takes  it  ill 
that  he  is  so  deceived  in  you.  For  you  gave 
him  assurance  that  you  would  dwell  in  Pala- 
dore,  and  do  after  the  customs  of  the  city: 
but  now  you  deal  otherwise  and  are  gone  con- 
tinually from  hence,  and  none  knows  whither. 

Then  Ywain  was  perplexed  and  knew  not 

what  he  should  answer :   for  he  remembered 

how   that   it   was   forbidden   in    that   city   to 

speak  the  name  of  Aladore.     Also  he  remem- 

292 


Aladore 


bered  the  saying  of  the  hermit,  that  he  must 
return  to  Paladore  and  find  his  life  among 
men  and  so  come  to  the  land  of  his  desire. 
And  Sir  Rainald  kept  watch  upon  him  slyly 
out  of  the  side  of  his  eye,  and  he  saw  his 
perplexity  and  in  part  he  knew  the  reason 
of  it.  And  he  said  to  Ywain :  Go  now,  and 
follow  the  counsel  of  a  friend ;  and  say  what 
you  will  unto  the  Prince,  save  only  that  you 
say  not  any  thing  which  is  outrageous  against 
our  custom.  For  even  to  utter  such  a  word 
before  a  Prince  is  ungentle,  seeing  that  he 
is  not  bred  to  hear  villainy  and  hath  no 
skill  to  answer  thereto. 

So  Ywain  went  from  him  and  came  pres- 
ently before  the  Prince ;  and  the  Prince  was 
counting  his  money :  for  he  was  a  careful 
man,  and  every  month  he  counted  his  money 
from  one  great  chest  into  another.  And  at 
the  first  he  looked  upon  Ywain  and  gave 
him  no  greeting,  but  afterwards  when  he 
had  made  an  end  of  his  counting  then  he 
spoke  to  him.  And  he  said  as  Sir  Rainald 
293 


Aladore 


had  reported  him,  how  that  he  was 
deceived  in  Ywain :  for  he  had  looked  to 
have  him  dwelling  continually  in  Paladore, 
to  fight  and  to  do  adventures,  and  not  to 
go  wandering  otherwhere. 

Then  Ywain  answered  him  courteously  and 
said :  Sir,  I  have  done  with  my  wandering, 
and  except  it  be  in  Paladore  I  have  no  place 
of  dwelling,  as  in  this  world.  And  when  he 
had  said  that  the  Prince  looked  shrewdly 
upon  him,  as  one  that  would  pierce  a  covered 
thing,  and  he  asked  of  Ywain :  Whither  then 
go  you,  and  whence  came  you  now  ?  For 
you  have  been  seven  days  in  hiding,  since 
that  you  were  seen  within  the  city.  And 
Ywain  answered :  Sir,  it  is  hard  to  tell :  for 
I  have  been  in  no  place  of  the  world,  but  in 
a  land  of  dreams.  Ha!  said  the  Prince,  I 
knew  it  well,  for  it  is  a  common  case  and 
an  evil.  And  I  will  deal  patiently  with  you 
in  this  matter,  seeing  that  you  are  an  out- 
lander  born  and  not  yet  perfect  in  the  custom 
of  our  city.  Know  then  that  in  Paladore  a 
294 


Aladore 


dream  is  a  thing  of  nought  and  a  byword  of 
folly,  for  we  are  lovers  of  truth,  and  in  dreams 
is  no  truth  at  all.  And  we  approve  all  such 
things  as  have  substance,  and  gold  the  chief 
and  sign  of  all :  and  thereby  is  the  repute  of 
them  which  are  great  among  us.  For  to  do 
and  to  have  is  the  virtue  of  men,  but  they 
which  dream  do  nothing  and  gain  no  penny- 
worth. 

And  Ywain  could  well  hear  that  which  was 
said,  for  it  was  clearly  spoken :  but  in  the 
same  moment  he  heard  also  his  lady's  voice 
and  remembered  him  of  her  sweet  fellowship. 
And  his  heart  grew  hot  and  his  eyes  were 
lightened :  and  the  Prince  faded  suddenly 
from  before  him  and  the  gold  was  turned  to 
sunshine  within  the  chest.  And  Ywain  turned 
him  about  toward  the  doorway,  and  he  saw 
there  Aithne  in  the  beauty  of  morning:  and 
she  smiled  and  said  to  him :  Beloved,  why 
went  you  from  me :  for  I  dreamed  evilly  of 
bells  at  midnight,  and  I  awoke  and  found 
you  not. 

295 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 

HOW  YWAIN  AND  AITHNE  HAD  SIGHT  OF 
HUBERT,  AND  RETURNED  TOGETHER  INTO 
PALADORE. 

Now  was  Ywain  again  in  Aladore  and  accom- 
panied with  his  love :  and  for  a  while  he 
forgot  the  Prince  and  all  his  counsel,  and 
went  among  divers  delights  as  a  honey-bee 
goes  among  a  wilderness  of  flowers.  And  it 
befell  on  a  night  that  he  sat  with  Aithne 
beside  a  fountain,  and  in  the  pool  of  the 
fountain  they  looked  upon  the  summer  stars. 
And  round  about  them  were  cypresses  and 
shadows,  and  there  was  no  wind  in  the 
hollow  of  the  night  nor  any  sound  save  a 
little  silvery  sound  of  the  fountain. 

And   Aithne  spoke    softly  to  Ywain  in   the 
dark,  and  she  said  to  him  :    Beloved,  tell  me 
296 


Alad 


ore 


of  many  things,  for  the  night  is  still  and 
secret,  and  this  fountain  shall  be  your  foun- 
tain of  memory.  And  he  asked  her  for 
asking's  sake :  Of  which  thing  first  shall  I 
tell  you  ?  and  she  answered :  Of  your  life  in 
Paladore,  and  of  those  with  whom  you  had 
your  dealing,  whether  in  love  or  in  hate,  for 
some  of  them  I  also  have  known  and  some 
never:  and  they  shall  be  to  me  like  them 
which  are  in  a  tale  of  faery,  or  a  picture 
woven  upon  the  wall. 

Then  Ywain  leaned  over  and  looked  into 
the  pool  of  the  fountain,  and  he  remembered 
the  saying  of  the  hermit,  how  that  in  all  still 
water  there  will  be  visions.  And  true  it  was 
aforetime  and  true  now :  and  in  this  water 
Ywain  saw  both  Paladore  and  all  that  he 
had  done  therein.  And  the  faces  of  his 
friends  he  saw,  and  of  his  enemies,  and  he 
saw  his  own  face  and  form  among  them,  and 
he  perceived  all  their  love  and  their  evil 
malice.  And  that  which  he  saw  he  told  it 
to  Aithne  as  a  tale  out  of  live  memory,  for 
297 


Aladore 


it  was  there  before  his  eyes  in  clear  colours. 
And  he  told  her  of  those  four  which  had 
been  friends  to  him  in  Paladore :  and  namely 
of  Maurice  which  had  a  merry  wit,  and  of 
Dennis  whose  sayings  bit  like  salt.  Also  of 
Bartholomy  the  religious  and  of  Hubert  that 
first  of  all  named  Aladore  to  Ywain  by  name : 
and  Ywain  made  a  more  especial  mention  of 
Hubert,  because  that  he  was  such  an  one  as 
would  give  the  world  for  a  dream.  And  ever 
as  he  rehearsed  of  Hubert,  Ywain  saw  his 
face  more  clear  before  him :  and  when  he 
had  come  to  an  end  of  his  tale  then  he  saw 
him  yet  more  clear.  And  Ywain  fell  silent 
and  bent  him  down  above  the  water,  for  he 
remembered  the  well  of  the  hermit,  and  he 
thought  to  see  not  only  that  which  had  be- 
fallen, but  also  somewhat  of  that  which  should 
befall.  But  Aithne  knew  his  thought  and 
said  to  him  :  Look  no  more,  for  this  is  the 
fountain  of  memory,  and  though  the  memory 
be  not  ours  but  greater,  yet  in  it  are  shown 
no  deeds  save  those  which  are  accomplished. 
298 


Alad 


ore 


Notwithstanding  Ywain  continued  looking, 
and  as  he  looked  he  cried  out  in  anger,  for 
he  saw  in  the  vision  Sir  Rainald,  and  how 
he  came  with  certain  of  his  and  laid  hold 
on  Hubert :  and  they  led  Hubert  away  by 
force  and  so  passed  as  it  were  out  of  the 
pool  into  the  dimness  of  the  night.  Then 
Ywain  started  up,  and  told  Aithne  of  that 
which  he  had  seen :  and  she  said :  You  do 
well  to  cry  out,  howbeit  you  cry  too  late,  for 
that  which  you  saw  is  surely  done  already. 
But  Ywain  stood  staring  into  the  darkness, 
for  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  heard  a  going 
among  the  cypresses. 

And  as  he  stood  there  staring,  and  Aithne 
with  him,  there  came  one  walking  toward 
them  in  the  thickest  of  the  shadows:  and 
when  he  was  come  nearer  he  lift  up  his  face 
and  looked  steadfastly  at  them,  and  so  passed 
by  and  was  gone  from  them  again.  And 
Aithne  said  to  Ywain  :  Tell  me  quickly, 
whose  face  was  that  which  I  saw.  And 
Ywain  drew  in  his  breath  and  answered  her: 
299 


Aladore 


It  was  the  face  of  Hubert,  and  though  he 
spoke  no  word,  yet  with  his  eyes  he  called 
me.  Yea,  said  Aithne,  and  methought  he 
called  us  both :  for  he  looked  upon  me  also, 
and  in  his  look  was  strong  sorrow  and  en- 
treaty. Then  pity  and  anger  went  over  Ywain 
like  a  river  in  flood,  and  he  said  to  his  lady : 
What  must  I  do,  for  I  have  need  of  your 
help  and  your  enchantments. 

Then  Aithne  answered  him  not,  but  she 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  brought  him  to 
the  margent  of  the  fountain.  And  they  held 
firmly  each  by  other,  and  so  stepped  together 
into  the  pool :  and  Ywain  felt  the  water  cold 
about  his  knees.  And  he  shivered  and  awoke 
as  it  were  from  a  sleep :  and  the  fountain 
and  the  cypresses  were  vanished  from  him 
and  he  stood  with  Aithne  upon  a  beach  of 
the  sea.  And  before  them  was  a  high  steep, 
shining  with  grey  and  with  green  :  and  above 
it  was  a  grey  and  silver  cloud,  and  a  cres- 
cent moon,  and  the  moon  rose  over  Paladore. 


300 


CHAPTER    XLVIII. 

HOW  YWAIN  WAS  AWEARIED  OF  PALADORE, 
AND  HOW  HE  WAS  MISHANDLED  BY  THE 
GREAT   ONES   OF   THE    CITY. 

Then  they  climbed  the  Steep  together  and 
entered  into  the  city :  and  Ywain  brought 
Aithne  home  to  his  own  house.  And  he 
made  her  a  little  supper,  scant  enough,  and 
drew  wine  for  her  of  the  wine  which  the 
Eagles  had  given  him  :  and  sweet  it  was 
still,  but  the  spirit  was  gone  out  of  it.  And 
when  they  had  eaten  and  drunk,  then  a  great 
weariness  came  upon  Ywain,  and  he  spoke, 
and  uttered  his  complaint  unto  Aithne :  for  he 
was  adread  to  hear  ill  tidings  of  Hubert,  and 
in  his  heart  he  sighed  after  the  peace  of 
Aladore.  And  his  lady  comforted  him  and 
301 


Aladore 


said :  Beloved,  think  not  to  be  alone  in  weari- 
ness, for  to  me  also  the  business  of  Paladore 
hath  been  as  dust  upon  the  tongue.  But  this 
is  the  fortune  of  men,  to  dwell  in  two  realms, 
until  that  our  life  is  changed :  and  it  may  be 
that  the  time  is  not  long.  And  what  matter, 
if  by  our  own  magic  we  may  come  and  go  ? 
and  what  grief,  if  we  may  be  together  ? 

So  Ywain  was  comforted  by  means  of  those 
words,  for  they  were  more  than  wine  to  him : 
and  the  chime  told  midnight,  and  they  twain 
laid  them  to  their  sleep.  And  in  the  morning 
before  men  were  stirring  Ywain  ran  quickly  to 
the  house  of  Hubert  and  knocked  upon  the 
door :  and  there  came  to  him  Maurice  and 
Dennis,  and  told  him  ill  tidings  of  Hubert, 
how  that  he  had  been  thrust  forth  out  of  the 
city,  never  to  return  under  pain  of  life.  And 
they  told  him  further  how  that  the  Eagles 
were  sworn  to  bring  him  in  again :  for  he  had 
done  no  wrong,  but  only  to  speak  against 
them  of  the  Tower.  And  Ywain  had  great 
indignation  thereat,  and  swore  instantly  to  be 
302 


Aladore 


of  their  fellowship  ;  but  inwardly  he  groaned 
to  be  so  bound  again,  for  he  saw  no  end  to 
strife  and  no  day  of  returning. 

Notwithstanding  he  stooped  him  to  his 
burden  and  shouldered  it :  and  he  went  here 
and  there  throughout  the  city  and  spoke 
among  divers  sorts  of  men.  And  in  general 
he  found  them  to  be  of  three  sorts :  and 
namely,  there  were  some  of  good  will  toward 
the  Eagles,  and  some  which  held  by  the 
Tower,  for  favour's  sake :  and  yet  more  there 
were  which  were  men  of  ease  and  loved 
nothing  so  much  as  to  keep  order  and  custom 
and  to  hear  no  questions.  And  these  said  to 
Ywain  that  they  were  neither  of  this  side  nor 
of  that,  but  would  favour  no  man  that  should 
be  a  disturber  of  peace. 

Then  came  one  to  Ywain  and  stayed  him 
in  the  midst  of  the  street :  and  he  was  a 
Summoner,  and  by  his  office  he  summoned 
Ywain  to  come  before  the  Archbishop.  So 
Ywain  went  with  him,  and  as  he  went  he 
marvelled  within  himself  what  manner  of 
303 


Aladore 


turn  was  this,  for  he  had  had  no  deahngs 
with  clergy,  neither  for  them  neither  against. 
And  when  he  came  to  the  palace  then  he  was 
yet  more  astonished  :  for  the  Archbishop  sat  in 
no  public  place  but  in  a  little  chamber  set  about 
with  books,  and  with  him  were  three  or  four 
great  ones  of  the  company  of  the  Tower.  And 
they  greeted  Ywain  courteously  and  asked  him 
to  speak  his  mind  unto  them  concerning 
Hubert.  Then  Ywain  took  the  word  and 
reasoned  with  them,  that  it  was  no  good  cause 
to  banish  a  man,  if  he  should  have  spoken 
against  a  company  or  against  a  custom.  And 
when  he  had  said  that,  he  looked  to  be  down- 
cried  and  angrily  used. 

Howbeit  the  game  was  otherwise  played,  as 
at  this  time,  for  none  cried  out  nor  used  him 
angrily,  but  they  of  the  Tower  made  a  show  to 
receive  his  saying  courteously  and  to  agree 
thereto.  Then  the  Archbishop  spoke  to 
Ywain,  and  his  eyes  glowed  like  coals,  and  his 
voice  was  rich  and  sweet  like  strong  wine 
softened  with  honey,  and  he  said  :  These  are 
304 


Aladore 


my  friends  and  yours,  and  they  would  be 
friends  to  Hubert  also,  for  there  is  no  malice 
in  them,  but  good  will  and  free  forgiveness. 
But  Hubert  would  not,  to  my  grief  I  say  it : 
for  he  was  taken  with  an  ill  mind  and  brought 
disease  upon  many.  And  his  disease  was  this, 
that  he  became  a  dreamer  of  dreams,  and 
would  have  others  to  be  like  himself:  and 
thereby  they  were  in  danger  to  have  perished. 
Then  said  Ywain :  My  lord,  I  pray  you 
pardon  me :  of  what  dreams  do  men  perish  ? 
And  the  Archbishop  answered  him  patiently 
and  said  :  Surely  of  all  such  dreams  as  are 
not  according  to  faith.  Then  said  Ywain  :  I 
rejoice  to  hear  my  lord's  saying,  for  Hubert  is 
of  all  men  most  full  of  faith,  as  one  that  would 
give  the  world  for  a  dream.  And  even  as  he 
does,  so  do  I  and  mine  :  for  we  long  after  our 
own  land,  and  go  pilgrimage  to  find  it.  And 
in  that  it  is  a  land  of  dream  it  is  a  land  of 
faith  :  for  by  our  dreams  we  make  life  new  and 
ever  during,  and  what  else  do  all  the  men  of 
faith  ? 

u  305 


Alad 


ore 


And  when  he  said  that  the  Archbishop  was 
some  deal  choked  in  his  throat,  and  the  red 
blood  came  into  his  face  about  his  eyes.  And 
he  said  to  Ywain :  What  mean  you,  sir,  for  I 
fear  lest  I  should  understand  your  saying. 
And  Ywain  answered :  Let  me  use  plain  words 
with  reverence  :  for  we  are  both  of  us  men  and 
the  sons  of  men,  and  to  each  man  his  own 
magic.  And  we  all  seek  for  the  land  of  our 
desire,  and  we  build  therein  a  city  and  a 
house  for  our  abiding.  And  you  call  your  city 
Paradise,  and  ours  we  call  Aladore,  for  of  our 
own  dreams  it  is  builded  and  upheld. 

Then  the  Archbishop  rose  up  upon  his  feet, 
and  he  looked  on  Ywain  with  a  stern  counte- 
nance, and  said :  It  is  enough.  And  he  went 
out  in  his  wrath,  and  the  great  ones  followed 
after  him. 


306 


CHAPTER    XLIX. 

HOW  YWAIN   WAS   EXCOMMUNICATE   AFTER 
THE    CUSTOM    OF   PALADORE. 

Little  enough  thought  Ywain  of  the  anger 
of  those  great  ones,  for  he  held  himself  to 
have  outreasoned  them,  and  he  perceived 
not  how  by  his  cunning  the  Archbishop  had 
entrapped  him  before  witnesses  of  repute. 
But  Aithne  perceived  it,  and  more,  for 
Ywain  told  her  some  deal,  and  other  deal 
she  divined  of  herself.  And  when  she  had 
considered  a  little  she  bade  him  make  haste 
and  do  those  things  for  which  he  came, 
and  look  not  to  be  long  unharassed  of  his 
enemies:  for  that  they  had  fastened  an  ill 
quarrel  upon  him  by  no  chance  but  by  in- 
tent, and  they  were  such  as  would  follow 
their  craft. 

307 


Alad 


ore 


So  he  went  about  the  town  busily,  seeking 
out  all  those  which  were  friends  to  Hubert 
and  all  those  which  were  haters  of  evil 
custom :  and  he  found  some  and  persuaded 
other,  and  thought  to  have  made  good  way. 
And  this  time  also  he  perceived  how  he  was 
favoured  of  the  commons  of  Paladore ;  for 
he  discoursed  to  them  hotly,  and  they  were 
ever  assotted  on  discourse  and  on  a  burning 
tongue. 

And  on  a  day  he  came  down  to  the  door 
of  his  house,  to  go  forth  into  the  city :  and 
there  came  to  his  ears  a  sound  of  a  bell 
tolling  and  of  a  multitude  of  people  going 
all  one  way.  And  he  hastened  and  came  to 
the  end  of  the  street  and  found  them  pass- 
ing by;  for  they  were  going  toward  the 
market-place.  And  he  perceived  that  in  the 
middle  was  a  train  of  some  sort,  walking  by 
two  and  by  two,  and  there  went  a  great  bell 
before  them,  and  beside  them  the  multitude 
ran  and  jostled  under  the  walls  of  the  street. 
And  Ywain  joined  himself  to  them,  for  he 
308 


Aladore 


was  willing  to  know  of  their  dealing:  and 
for  the  thickness  of  the  crowd  he  could  not 
see  what  was  to  the  forward,  but  only  he 
perceived  that  in  the  train  were  many  great 
ones  of  the  company  of  the  Tower. 

Then  he  spoke  to  a  man  that  was  beside 
him  in  the  crowd,  and  he  asked  of  him 
what  might  be  the  meaning  of  the  concourse 
and  of  the  tolling :  for  the  bell  was  of  a 
right  dolorous  sound,  but  among  the  people 
was  no  sadness  at  all.  And  the  man  an- 
swered him :  Well  may  you  ask,  as  I  also 
have  asked  but  a  moment  since,  for  the  like 
of  this  hath  not  happed  within  my  memory. 
And  the  concourse  is  all  to  see  and  to  hear 
the  Archbishop  a-cursing,  and  the  bell  also 
is  part  of  the  cursing,  for  it  betokens  that  he 
which  is  cursed  should  be  as  it  were  buried 
out  of  sight  and  fellowship.  Then  Ywain 
remembered  Hubert,  and  his  heart  rose  and 
he  asked  again :  Whom  then  will  they  curse 
and  for  what  cause  ?  And  the  man  answered : 
He  is  one  Ywain,  and  I  know  him  well :  and 
309 


Alad 


ore 


the  cause  is  a  true  cause,  for  he  is  a  blas- 
phemer of  the  faith,  a  dealer  in  dreamage 
and  all  manner  of  sorceries. 

And  at  that  saying  Ywain  was  astonished 
and  said  no  more :  for  he  had  thought  to 
hear  speak  of  Hubert  and  not  of  himself. 
And  he  went  forward  strongly  through  the 
press,  and  came  out  into  the  market  -  place 
and  stood  upon  a  step  under  an  archway  and 
looked  forth  over  the  heads  of  the  multitude. 
And  he  saw  the  train  there  before  him :  and 
in  the  forefront  were  an  hundred  of  the  com- 
pany of  the  Tower,  wearing  their  livery  of 
black  with  a  golden  tower  thereon.  And 
after  them  came  an  hundred  of  clergy,  ap- 
parelled in  black  clothes  and  white,  and  an 
hundred  doctors  of  the  schools  with  gowns 
of  divers  colours:  and  the  Archbishop  was 
robed  in  a  silken  robe  of  crimson  with  a 
great  hat  of  the  same,  and  before  him  went 
two  with  candles  in  hand,  and  one  with  a 
bell. 

So   they   came   upon    the  place    in    seemly 
310 


Alad 


ore 


order,  and  they  halted  there  and  departed 
into  two  lines  the  one  over  against  the 
other:  and  the  Archbishop  passed  through 
and  stood  upon  the  steps  of  the  Great  Hall. 
And  he  held  up  his  hand,  and  immediately 
the  bell  ceased  from  tolling,  and  they  of  the 
multitude  were  hushed  from  their  babble. 
Then  came  seven  clergy  before  the  Arch- 
bishop, having  seven  great  candles  in  their 
hands,  and  they  stood  and  set  light  to  them 
and  held  them  aloft :  and  when  all  the 
people  had  perceived  their  dealing,  then 
they  threw  down  the  candles  upon  the 
ground  and  trod  out  the  flame  of  them. 
And  as  they  trod  them  they  cried  against 
them :  Out,  out,  accursed ;  until  all  were 
quenched. 

Then  the  Archbishop  stood  forth  with  staff 
in  hand,  and  he  bade  all  men  to  know,  and 
to  make  known,  how  that  Ywain  was  thence- 
forth cut  off  from  the  company  of  all  men 
living,  and  from  the  company  of  all  the 
faithful  dead.  And  under  pain  of  the  like 
3U 


Aladore 


sentence  he  ordained  that  none  should  give 
him  neither  shelter  nor  speech,  nor  food 
nor  fellowship,  nor  any  means  of  life  nor 
burial  after  death.  And  when  he  had  so 
said  he  went  solemnly  out  from  the  place : 
and  all  his  train  followed  after  him,  and  last 
of  all  went  he  that  had  the  bell,  a -tolling 
dolorously. 


312 


CHAPTER    L. 

HOW  YWAIN  AND  AITHNE  CAME  TO  ALADORE 
THE  LAST  TIME,  AS  IN  THIS  TRANSITORY 
LIFE. 

Now  Ywain  was  known  of  none,  for  he  was 
in  a  sure  place  and  looked  forth  above  the 
heads  of  the  multitude.  But  he  perceived 
all  that  was  done,  and  none  better,  and  he 
understood  right  well  the  evil  malice  and  craft 
of  his  enemies,  and  his  heart  was  pricked 
therewith  as  with  the  poison  of  wasps.  And 
the  tolling  of  the  bell  he  regarded  not,  neither 
the  treading  of  the  candles,  for  he  held  such 
things  to  be  shows  to  frighten  fools  :  but  the 
curses  and  the  sentences,  and  all  the  words  of 
the  Archbishop,  those  stung  his  blood  and 
made  bitterness  in  his  throat. 
313 


Aladore 


Then  he  thought  to  get  some  comfort  of 
the  people  which  were  round  about  him,  and 
he  went  forward  a  Httle  and  mingled  with 
them  and  heard  their  talk.  And  at  the  first 
he  had  some  pleasure  of  them,  for  there  was 
not  one  in  twenty  but  was  making  merry, 
with  no  saving  of  reverence,  no,  not  of  the 
Archbishop  himself.  But  therewith  came 
displeasure,  that  he  also  was  but  lightly 
accounted  of:  for  the  most  part  of  the  crowd 
made  no  distinction,  but  they  cheapened  the 
sin  with  the  punishment.  And  the  best  that 
he  could  find  was  this,  that  the  young  and 
lean  men  were  for  him  and  the  old  and  fat 
against  him  :  for  in  Paladore  the  old  dream 
not,  save  it  be  of  gold  and  gluttony.  And 
with  this  he  was  but  ill  content,  for  they 
which  are  young  in  that  city  are  no  more  than 
one  in  three,  and  they  are  of  small  account, 
seeing  that  the  best  of  them  are  banished. 

So  he  left  that  and  came  away  covertly  to 
his  own  house,  and  he  found  Aithne  therein, 
and  told  her  of  all  that  he  had  seen  and  heard. 
314 


Aladore 


And  oi  the  pain  which  he  had  in  his  heart,  of 
this  he  told  her  not,  but  she  perceived  it  by 
the  manner  of  his  speaking,  for  she  knew  his 
thought  as  it  were  by  touch  and  not  by  words. 
And  she  said  to  him  :  It  is  no  marvel  if  you 
are  in  pain :  for  there  is  no  venom  in  nature 
like  to  the  venom  of  speech,  and  many  times 
it  will  work  madness  in  the  blood.  But  there 
is  good  magic  against  it,  as  I  shall  show  you 
presently,  for  this  is  a  woman's  gift  from  the 
time  out  of  mind.  And  bethink  you  also 
how  their  curses  are  no  better  than  their 
ceremonies,  and  both  alike  folly :  for  they 
are  but  tokens  and  have  in  them  no  power 
to  make  good. 

Nay,  said  Ywain,  but  they  have  this  power, 
that  they  hurt  where  they  are  aimed:  for  in 
another  man's  case  I  had  never  regarded 
them,  but  when  they  struck  my  own  name 
then  they  pierced  and  rankled.  And  thereat 
he  cast  down  his  eyes  and  fell  into  a  weariness. 
And  Aithne  came  to  him  and  stood  beside 
him  where  he  sat,  and  she  took  his  head 
315 


Aladore 


between  her  arms  and  drew  it  in  upon  her 
breast.  And  immediately  the  bands  of  his 
weariness  were  loosed,  and  his  spirit  was 
rocked  in  a  sure  hold  as  a  young  child  is 
rocked  by  his  mother :  and  he  shut  to  his 
eyes  and  remembered  no  more  the  things 
which  were  done  against  his  peace. 

Then  he  opened  his  eyes  again,  and  he 
saw  how  that  he  stood  in  a  meadow  of 
flowers,  and  the  flowers  were  kingcups  and 
lady-smocks  and  other  such  as  are  chiefly 
loved  of  children.  And  among  the  flowers 
there  ran  a  little  brook,  and  in  the  brook 
were  minnows  going  all  one  way  like  boats 
upon  a  wind ;  and  it  seemed  to  Ywain  that 
it  were  worth  all  other  joys  if  he  might  take 
but  one  minnow  in  his  naked  hand.  And  not 
far  off  from  him  stood  a  little  maid  and  called 
to  him  :  and  she  called  him  to  come  home, 
for  it  was  time.  And  he  knew  that  she  was 
his  sister,  that  was  his  elder  by  two  years, 
and  it  was  in  his  mind  to  obey  her,  but  not 
yet.  Then  he  stretched  out  his  hand  and 
316 


Alad 


ore 


stooped  forward  above  the  brook,  and  he 
snatched  suddenly  at  a  minnow  that  was 
there  :  and  the  sedge  yielded  beneath  him 
and  he  fell  with  his  arms  upon  the  water. 
And  immediately  he  came  to  his  feet  again 
and  stood  upon  the  meadow :  but  he  was 
all  bedabbled  and  bedrenched,  and  he  feared 
to  be  chidden,  and  his  fear  burst  forth  from 
him  and  he  wept. 

Then  the  maid  that  was  his  sister  came  to 
him  and  stood  beside  him,  and  took  his  head 
between  her  arms  and  drew  it  in  upon  her 
breast.  And  he  shut  to  his  eyes  and  immedi- 
ately his  fear  was  stayed  and  the  water  was 
dried  upon  his  arms  and  upon  his  feet,  and 
his  heart  was  comforted.  And  he  opened  his 
eyes  again  and  looked  about  him,  and  he  saw 
the  place  wherein  he  was :  and  the  place  was 
changed  and  was  become  Aladore,  and  he  sat 
by  the  margent  of  the  sea,  where  he  had  been 
aforetime,  and  Aithne  was  there  beside  him  to 
his  solace. 

And  he  said  to  her :  O  my  beloved,  what 
317 


Aladore 

enchantment  is  this  that  you  have  used  ? 
For  I  have  been  a  child  again,  and  in  great 
grief  concerning  little  things :  and  I  have 
been  comforted  with  the  comfort  of  my 
mother  and  of  my  sister  which  are  long  since 
dead  and  gone  from  me. 

And  Aithne  stooped  over  him  and  kissed 
him  and  said :  Even  so,  beloved,  and  this 
enchantment  is  no  marvel,  seeing  that  it  is 
common  with  them  which  are  lovers  of  men  : 
for  it  is  the  gift  of  a  woman,  and  an  heritage 
from  the  time  that  is  out  of  mind. 


318 


CHAPTER    LI. 

OF  TWO  CITIES  THAT  WERE  BUILDED 
DIVERSELY,  AND  HOW  YWAIN  AND 
AITHNE  HEARD  A  HORN  BLOWN  OVER- 
SEA   FOR    BATTLE. 

Then  said  Ywain  :  Doubtless  your  saying  is 
true,  and  well  have  I  proved  the  gift :  yet  I 
marvel  notwithstanding,  for  a  man  may 
wonder  in  despite  of  knowledge.  And  there 
is  one  matter  concerning  which  I  am  still 
perplexed.  And  Aithne  said  to  him :  Say  on. 
And  he  said  to  her  :  I  am  perplexed  between 
two  verities :  for  there  is  one  truth  of  Paladore 
and  another  of  Aladore,  and  though  they  be 
diverse  yet  they  both  have  by  seeming  the 
nature  of  truth  veritable.  And  many  times 
my  mind  is  in  doubt  concerning  them  :  for 
319 


Aladore 


in  our  life  that  now  is  we  come  and  go  between 
two  realms,  and  I  would  that  I  might  know 
which  of  them  shall  outdure  other. 

And  Aithne  asked  him :  After  what  manner 
seem  these  verities  to  you  ?  And  he  an- 
swered :  O  beloved,  now  am  I  with  you  in 
Aladore,  and  all  things  else  and  all  men  and 
all  places  are  but  as  shadows  cast  by  this 
our  life,  and  we  move  them  as  we  will,  and 
as  we  will  we  take  away  their  being.  But 
when  I  am  alone  and  dwelling  yonder  among 
men,  then  have  those  shadows  truth  of  sub- 
stance and  of  touch,  and  the  life  of  Aladore 
becomes  an  image  in  the  mind,  as  it  was 
aforetime  when  I  saw  it  as  a  cloud  in 
heaven. 

Then  Aithne  was  silent  a  space,  and  fear 
came  into  her  eyes  :  and  afterwards  she  spoke 
suddenly  and  said  :  O  my  beloved,  keep  in- 
nocency,  for  to  a  child  these  things  are  plain. 
And  you  were  a  child  this  moment  past,  and 
I  with  you :  and  wherefore  now  should  we 
cloud  our  wisdom  with  a  doubt  ?  And  she 
320    ^ 


Aladore 


rose  up  and  said  to  him :  Let  us  play  a  game 
together,  as  children  that  play  upon  the  shore. 
For  here  is  sand  enough,  and  loneHness,  and 
the  tide  returning :  and  we  will  build  us  two 
cities,  and  see  which  of  the  two  shall  best 
endure.  And  you  shall  build  your  city  with 
your  hands,  and  name  it  Paladore  :  and  you 
shall  make  it  in  all  things  like  to  the  city 
that  you  know,  with  a  High  Steep  seaward, 
and  a  wall,  and  a  gateway  and  towers  thereon. 
And  I  also  will  make  a  city  and  name  it 
Aladore,  and  I  will  make  it  after  the  same 
fashion,  but  not  of  the  same  substance :  for 
I  will  not  build  it  with  hands  but  with  a 
power  of  the  spirit. 

So  Ywain  took  of  the  wet  sand  and  of  the 
dry,  and  he  built  him  a  great  mound  after 
the  manner  of  children.  And  when  he  had 
made  it  strong  then  he  carved  it  into  the  like- 
ness of  a  city,  with  a  high  steep  and  a  wall 
and  towers  thereon :  and  it  stood  upon  the 
shore  and  looked  out  seaward,  and  he  named 
it  Paladore,  for  it  was  fashioned  in  no  other 
X  321 


Alad 


ore 


wise,  and  the  tide  came  running  toward  the 
edges  of  the  steep. 

Then  Ywain  said  to  Aithne :  This  is  my 
city,  O  my  playfellow,  and  I  marvel  that 
yours  is  not  yet  a-building.  But  Aithne  an- 
swered him  not,  for  she  was  singing  a  song 
of  witchery :  and  she  sang  in  a  low  voice  and 
sweet,  and  as  she  sang  she  weaved  a  witch- 
knot  upon  the  air  with  both  her  hands.  And 
immediately  there  came  a  little  mist  upon 
the  shore,  and  the  mist  drew  upward  from 
the  sand  and  hung  in  one  place  upon  the  air 
like  smoke :  and  so  it  continued  the  while 
Aithne  sang  her  song.  And  when  she  had 
ceased  from  her  singing  then  Ywain  saw  the 
mist  no  more,  for  it  was  clean  vanished  and 
in  the  place  thereof  was  another  mound  and 
another  city,  in  semblance  like  unto  the  first, 
and  those  two  cities  were  nigh  together  upon 
the  shore  and  the  tide  came  about  them  both 
by  little  and  little. 

And  Ywain  and  Aithne  stood  still  and  looked 
upon  the  tide:  and  it  came  running  and  lap- 
322 


Alad 


ore 


ping  more  fiercely,  and  the  froth  of  it  began 
to  foam  upon  the  edges  of  the  mounds.  And 
the  water  gnawed  upon  the  sand  of  the  one 
city,  and  that  was  Ywain's :  and  the  walls 
and  towers  of  it  began  to  crumble  and  to 
crack,  and  at  the  last  they  were  perished 
wholly  as  by  ruin  of  time,  and  the  tide  flowed 
over  them  and  they  were  gone.  But  with 
Aithne's  city  it  was  not  so,  for  the  sea  bit 
not  upon  it  nor  overflowed  it,  but  it  stood 
above  the  water  until  the  turning  of  the  tide. 
And  Ywain  came  near  to  touch  it,  but  he 
could  not,  for  it  was  but  mist  between  his 
fingers.  And  he  left  it  alone  and  stood  and 
looked  upon  it  again  :  and  it  endured  as  rock, 
notwithstanding  it  was  builded  of  a  song. 

Then  he  said  to  Aithne :  The  game  is 
nought,  for  you  have  played  it  by  no  fair 
hazard  but  by  enchantment.  And  she  an- 
swered him :  Not  so,  for  by  this  same  en- 
chantment is  Aladore  upbuilded  and  sustained, 
and  that  is  the  truth  of  it.  And  she  looked 
into  his  eyes  and  her  spirit  entered  into  him, 
323 


Aladore 


and  they  twain  were  one  spirit.  And  the 
dusk  began  to  fall  about  them  and  peace 
therewith,  for  they  were  in  their  own  place 
beyond  time  and  tide.  But  in  that  moment 
came  change  upon  Ywain,  for  a  sound  was 
in  his  ears :  and  the  sound  was  the  sound  of 
a  horn  blown  over  sea,  and  in  the  hearing 
of  it  all  the  blood  of  his  body  leapt  furiously 
up  to  battle. 


324 


CHAPTER    LII. 

OF  A  SHIP  THAT  WAS  FULL  OF  LADIES  AND 
LOVELY  KNIGHTS,  AND  HOW  YWAIN  AND 
AITHNE  DEPARTED  WITH  THEM  OVER  SEA. 

Then  Ywain  looked  upon  Aithne,  and  in  one 
moment  he  remembered  all  her  love  and  her 
kindness,  and  pain  was  mingled  with  his  joy. 
And  his  heart  was  filled  with  a  tumult  past 
bearing,  and  he  groaned  aloud  and  cried : 
Ah !  my  beloved,  what  is  this  that  has  come 
upon  us  ?  For  here  is  the  land  of  our  desire 
and  the  land  of  all  loveliness  and  all  delectable 
enchantments,  and  herein  we  might  have  had 
life  enduring.  But  now  I  see  well  that  there 
is  no  such  fortune :  for  the  horn  has  sounded, 
and  the  sound  of  it  has  power  upon  body  and 
blood.  And  peace  is  gone  from  me  suddenly, 
and  I  can  by  no  means  keep  me  from  the 
325 


Aladore 


fight :  for  the  cause  is  a  right  cause  and  one 
that  must  be  ransomed,  yea,  though  all  else 
be  given  and  lost  for  it. 

But  Aithne  regarded  him  out  of  the  depth 
of  her  eyes,  and  she  said :  Grieve  not,  dear 
heart,  for  how  shall  that  which  is  given  be 
lost  ?  And  as  for  the  life  which  dureth,  that 
is  of  the  spirit  and  not  of  the  body:  for 
consider  them  which  were  great  lovers  of 
old  time,  how  that  they  all  are  perished,  as 
in  the  world  transitory,  yet  their  souls  dwell 
not  in  death  nor  forgetfulness. 

And  when  he  heard  those  words  Ywain's 
heart  was  made  strong  again  and  his  eyes 
were  lightened ;  and  he  saw  his  life  as  it  were 
a  tale  that  shall  be  told.  And  he  turned  him 
about  suddenly,  for  he  was  aware  how  there 
came  somewhat  from  the  seaward.  And  that 
which  came  was  a  ship,  going  slowly  under 
stress  of  oars  :  and  Ywain  perceived  that  the 
ship  was  builded  after  the  fashion  of  old  time, 
and  her  sails  were  furled  upon  the  yards,  and 
she  came  by  her  oarage  landward  against 
326 


Aladore 


the  wind.  And  upon  her  deck  stood  many 
goodly  persons :  and  they  were  all  in  silk  or 
else  in  armour  richly  beseen,  and  they  bore 
them  gently  and  with  a  joyful  courage. 

Then  Ywain  was  astonished,  and  he  asked 
of  Aithne :  Who  be  these  ?  for  I  know  them 
not :  yet  their  faces  are  like  faces  out  of 
childhood.  And  Aithne  answered  him :  You 
say  not  amiss,  for  these  are  they  which  are 
known  of  all  men,  howbeit  none  hath  seen 
them,  that  is  now  on  live.  For  yonder  by 
the  prow  is  Helen,  fairest  of  women,  and 
Paris,  by  whom  Troy  fell :  and  there  is  great 
Achilles  that  was  loved  both  of  maid  and  of 
man,  and  Prince  Troilus  that  had  double 
sorrow  in  loving  of  Criseyde,  and  Duke  Jason 
that  won  the  Fleece  Perilous,  and  Medea  that 
for  his  sake  forsook  her  father's  house.  And 
hard  by  them  is  Sigurd  of  the  Volsungs,  and 
Brynhild  the  Queen,  for  whom  he  rode  the 
Wavering  Fire :  notwithstanding  they  came 
never  together,  but  they  were  proud  lovers 
until  death.  And  other  two  queens  there 
327 


Aladore 


are  beside  Brynhild,  and  they  are  Isoud  and 
Guinevere ;  and  with  Isoud  haunteth  Sir 
Tristram,  which  drank  with  her  the  cup  of 
sorrow,  and  with  the  lady  Guinevere  is  that 
Sir  Lancelot,  that  was  never  matched  of 
earthly  knight's  hand. 

Then  Ywain  looked,  and  he  saw  all  those 
which  were  named,  and  other  beside :  and 
his  heart  was  stirred  with  the  sadness  and 
the  glory  of  them,  and  he  asked  again  of 
Aithne :  Tell  me  yet  more  of  these  lovers 
and  of  their  renown,  for  of  their  loveliness  is 
no  need  to  tell.  And  Aithne  spoke  again, 
and  she  showed  him  where  there  stood  a 
lady  with  a  face  like  a  flame  of  beauty, 
shining  marvellously.  And  she  said:  Behold 
then  Deirdre,  that  was  born  to  be  a  death  to 
many  and  a  tale  of  wonder  for  ever.  And 
with  her  is  Naoise,  son  of  Usnach,  that 
loved  her  greatly.  For  when  he  saw  her 
the  first  time,  there  and  then  he  gave  her 
the  love  that  he  never  gave  to  living  thing, 
to  vision,  or  to  creature,  but  to  herself  alone. 
328 


Alad 


ore 


Notwithstanding  she  has  a  little  grave  apart. 
And  there  also  is  Niamh,  that  Cuchulain 
loved,  and  with  three  kisses  she  sent  him  to 
his  death.  And  there  is  Ailinn,  daughter  of 
Lugaidh,  and  Baile  of  the  Honey  Mouth,  that 
died  each  for  other,  upon  false  tidings  of 
their  death.  And  there  is  Nicolette  the  slave 
girl,  that  was  by  rights  the  daughter  of  a 
king,  and  had  twelve  princes  to  her  brothers. 
And  beside  her  is  her  lord,  that  was  her 
lover  through  all,  and  Aucassin  he  was 
called,  and  Count  of  Beaucaire  thereafter. 
And  they  four  which  haunt  apart,  by  two 
and  by  two  together,  they  are  Leila  and 
Majnun,  whose  love  is  the  song  of  Araby 
and  the  mirror  of  the  East,  and  they  are 
Valeh  and  Hadijeh,  that  were  parted  by 
land  and  by  sea,  yet  at  the  last  they  came 
together  by  the  secret  road  of  dreams. 

So  Aithne  made  an  end  of  her  telling,  and 

Ywain    moved     not     but    continued    looking 

upon   the    ship   and    upon    them    that    were 

therein.      And    his    heart    rejoiced    in    those 

329 


Aladore 


mighty  dead  and  in  the  grandeur  of  the 
dooms  that  he  had  heard  told  of  them.  And 
the  ship  came  onward  and  was  driven  of  the 
oarsmen  upon  the  beach,  and  they  called  to 
Ywain  and  Aithne  that  they  should  come 
aboard.  So  they  took  hands  together  and 
went  aboard,  and  they  were  received  joyfully 
of  all  those  knights  and  ladies.  And  the 
ship  was  thrust  strongly  out  from  off  the 
beach,  and  so  turned  seaward,  and  the  sails 
were  hoised  upon  the  masts,  and  the  wind 
filled  them  roundly,  and  all  they  that  were 
aboard  began  to  sing. 

And  Ywain  knew  not  the  song  which  they 
sang,  but  he  perceived  that  it  was  a  song  of 
the  Rhymer's  making,  for  when  he  heard  it 
he  was  mightily  comforted,  and  he  felt  the 
springs  of  life  leaping  up  within  him.  And 
the  ship  drave  onward  over  foam  and  furrow 
and  came  swiftly  upon  a  coast  that  was  no 
strange  coast :  for  upon  it  was  the  High 
Steep  of  Paladore,  and  the  horn  was  blown 
again  from  the  topmost  of  the  city. 
330 


Aladore 


And  by  seeming  that  sound  was  well  known 
of  the  lovers  that  were  in  the  ship,  for  when 
they  heard  it  they  smiled  and  looked  kindly 
one  upon  another,  as  remembering  old  sorrow 
long  since  lightened.  And  they  brought 
Ywain  and  Aithne  to  land,  and  kissed  them 
and  bade  them  be  of  good  courage,  and  so 
to  meet  with  them  again,  for  they  said  how 
their  fellowship  was  an  ever-during  fellowship, 
and  might  never  be  broken.  Then  the  ship 
put  off  from  shore  and  went  slowly  to  the 
westward;  and  it  was  no  more  seen,  for  it 
became  as  it  had  been  a  wreath  of  mist  upon 
the  water.  And  Ywain  and  Aithne  climbed 
the  steep  together,  and  came  into  the  city: 
and  the  dusk  was  falling  round  them,  and  a 
great  star  stood  over  Paladore. 


331 


CHAPTER    LIII. 

HOW  YWAIN  AND  AITHNE  CAME  TO  PALADORE 
THE  LAST  TIME,  AND  HOW  THE  SNOW 
FELL    ALL    NIGHT    LONG. 

Then  they  looked  upon  that  star,  and  as  they 
looked  they  marvelled  and  were  dismayed,  for 
a  great  cloud  came  up  and  took  the  star  from 
them  utterly.  And  with  the  cloud  came  a 
wind,  exceeding  cold  and  bitter,  and  they 
perceived  how  that  in  one  hour  the  year  was 
turned  to  winter ;  and  the  wind  got  hold  upon 
their  bones  and  shrunk  them,  and  their  hearts 
were  sick  with  silence  and  foreboding.  Then 
the  wind  fell  again  suddenly,  and  the  snow 
began  to  come  thickly  down  the  air,  and  it 
came  upon  their  faces  now  driving  and  now 
feathering,  in  manner  as  the  wind  was  still 
or  gusty. 

332 


Aladore 


So  they  bent  down  their  heads  and  went 
through  the  city  at  speed,  devising  whither 
they  should  go  and  of  whom  they  should  seek 
counsel.  And  as  they  went  they  met  one 
which  passed  them  by :  yet  by  seeming  he 
knew  them  as  he  passed,  and  he  stayed  and 
turned  him  about  upon  the  street.  And  he 
called  not  to  them,  but  he  made  haste  and 
followed  after  them,  and  when  he  was  come 
near  he  looked  about  him  warily  and  came 
nearer  yet.  And  Ywain  peered  at  him  through 
the  darkness  and  the  snow  falling,  and  he  per- 
ceived that  he  was  Dennis  that  had  been 
friend  and  fellow  to  him  :  and  for  all  the  pains 
and  curses  that  were  against  him  Ywain  mis- 
doubted not  of  his  faith  And  as  he  trusted, 
so  it  was :  for  Dennis  took  him  and  pressed 
his  hand,  and  he  pressed  it  strongly  in  token 
of  friendship,  but  he  spoke  no  word.  Then 
Ywain  thought  on  danger  and  remembered 
him  of  his  enemies,  and  he  bade  Dennis  go 
before,  in  manner  of  one  that  had  no  know- 
ledge of  any  beside  himself,  and  so  bring 
333 


Aladore 


them  to  some  place  where  they  might  speak 
together.  And  Dennis  went  quickly  before, 
and  brought  them  into  Aithne's  own  house, 
that  was  long  time  deserted  and  out  of  mind 
of  all  men.  And  when  they  were  come  there 
they  entered  in  full  silently,  for  they  spoke  no 
word,  and  their  feet  were  dumb  with  snow. 
And  they  climbed  the  stairs  groping,  and  came 
into  the  upper  chamber,  that  was  Aithne's, 
and  made  fast  the  door :  and  they  darkened 
the  window  and  kindled  a  little  fire  upon 
the  hearth.  And  the  fire  took  hold  and 
grew,  and  they  had  joy  of  it,  for  in  a  fire 
there  will  be  comfort  against  misery,  as  in 
a  thing  that  hath  life  and  fellowship. 

Then  they  began  to  speak  together,  and 
Ywain  asked  of  Dennis  what  should  be  the 
meaning  of  the  horn  which  he  had  heard 
blowing.  And  thereat  Dennis  was  astonished, 
as  one  that  understands  not  what  is  asked  of 
him :  and  at  the  last  he  said  to  Ywain : 
Whence  are  you  come  hither,  and  by  what 
error  deceived  ?  For  there ,  has  no  horn  been 
334 


Aladore 


blown  in  Paladore  this  year.  Then  he  said 
again :  It  is  a  marvel :  for  the  blowing  of 
the  horn  is  for  to-morrow,  and  it  is  agreed 
among  us  that  at  the  sound  of  it  the  Eagles 
shall  draw  together  and  make  war  against 
them  of  the  Tower. 

Then  said  Ywain  :  So  be  it,  and  good  end 
thereto :  yet  without  doubt  I  heard  the  horn, 
and  for  that  sake  only  did  I  come  hither. 
And  Aithne  said :  I  also  heard  it,  and  no 
marvel :  for  there  is  a  hearing  of  the  spirit, 
and  many  times  one  friend  may  perceive 
another's  counsel,  and  as  well  far  as  near, 
and  as  well  before  as  after. 

And  to  that  Dennis  gave  assent,  for  he  had 
heard  the  same  of  certain  others :  and  he  told 
Ywain  and  Aithne  of  the  counsel  of  the 
Eagles.  For  their  purpose  was  to  bring  in 
Hubert  and  all  other  banished  men,  and  they 
would  have  no  more  such  banishing  hence- 
forth, but  all  to  live  and  let  live.  And  they 
devised  to  go  upon  their  enemies  by  two  ways 
and  so  come  against  them  unaware :  and 
335 


Alad 


ore 


namely  that  one  party  should  take  the  gate 
and  the  other  party  the  great  Hall.  For 
that  Hall  was  the  chief  place  of  the  city, 
where  was  ever  the  concourse  and  the 
government :  and  there  should  be  their 
stronghold  and  the  blowing  of  the  horn. 
And  at  the  sound  of  the  horn  should  come 
Hubert  and  his  before  the  gate,  and  so  to 
break  in  with  force.  And  though  their  em- 
prise was  hazardous,  yet  they  looked  to 
achieve  it,  seeing  that  the  Prince  of  Paladore 
was  suddenly  departed  out  of  this  life  without 
survivors  to  inherit  him,  and  by  likelihood 
the  great  ones  v^ould  be  in  confusion. 

So  all  these  counsels  Dennis  showed  unto 
Ywain  and  Aithne,  and  it  was  long  before  he 
made  an  end  of  speaking.  And  when  he  had 
made  an  end  they  three  sat  silent,  looking  upon 
the  fire ;  and  the  logs  crumbled  upon  the 
hearth  and  the  fire  began  to  fail.  And  Ywain 
rose  up  and  unbarred  the  window  to  behold 
the  night :  and  the  snow  fell  without  ceasing, 
and  it  lay  in  a  great  crust  upon  the  sill.  Then 
336 


Aladore 


Ywain  sighed  and  shut  to  the  window,  for  he 
was  a-weary  of  the  darkness,  and  he  took 
wood  and  kindled  the  lire  again,  blowing  upon 
the  ashes  with  his  breath.  And  they  three 
outwore  the  night  together,  speaking  of  old 
things  and  things  to  come,  and  watching  for 
the  dawn. 


337 


CHAPTER    LIV. 

HOW  THE  HORN  WAS  GIVEN  INTO  YWAIN'S 
HAND,  AND  HOW  HE  SOUNDED  THEREON 
A   MORT   ROYAL. 

And  when  it  began  to  lighten  towards  dawn, 
then  they  went  forth  out  of  the  house  and  made 
to  go  by  the  way  of  the  market-place.  And 
the  snow  had  ceased  from  falling  and  it  lay 
upon  the  ground  before  them  deep  and  white, 
for  it  was  yet  untrodden.  So  they  drew  their 
cloaks  about  their  faces  and  went  quickly,  to 
the  intent  that  they  should  be  known  of  none  : 
and  at  the  first  there  was  no  living  soul  that 
met  with  them.  But  afterward  they  had  sight 
of  three  or  four  which  came  towards  them,  and 
by  seeming  they  were  the  servants  of  some 
great  one,  accompanying  with  their  master 
homeward. 

338 


Alad 


ore 


And  Ywain  saw  the  lord  of  those  men 
coming  behind  them,  and  he  knew  him  well, 
for  all  that  he  was  enwrapped  against  the  cold. 
And  they  drew  near  to  pass  by  one  another, 
for  there  was  no  avoidance :  and  the  lord 
gave  Ywain  greeting  and  would  have  stayed 
him,  but  Ywain  muttered  somewhat  and  so 
passed  on,  and  Aithne  and  Dennis  with  him. 
And  in  truth  this  was  Sir  Rainald,  that  was 
ever  busy  against  other,  and  more  especially 
against  the  Eagles :  and  when  he  saw  Ywain, 
though  he  saw  not  his  face,  yet  he  misdoubted 
him  who  he  was.  And  Ywain  looked  after 
him  as  he  went,  and  he  saw  how  he  stood 
staring  upon  the  footprints  in  the  snow :  and 
when  he  had  considered  them  he  followed 
them  backwardly,  that  he  might  find  the  house 
from  whence  they  had  set  forth. 

Then  Ywain  turned  him  to  Dennis,  and  he 
said  :  What  now  ?  for  we  must  make  short 
work.  And  Dennis  stayed  not,  but  ran  quickly 
towards  the  great  Hall,  and  Ywain  and  Aithne 
followed  after  him.  And  with  a  key  Dennis 
opened  the  door  of  the  Hall,  and  they  three 
339 


Alad 


ore 


entered  in  :  and  there  was  no  man  within,  but 
upon  the  wall  was  a  great  horn  hanging,  and 
Dennis  took  down  the  horn  from  the  wall  and 
gave  it  into  Ywain's  hand. 

But  Ywain  said  :  How  shall  I  blow  for  war 
that  know  but  the  hunter's  notes?  For  belike 
you  have  another  manner  for  war,  or  else 
you  are  agreed  among  yourselves. 

And  Dennis  answered  him :  Not  so,  but  the 
sounding  of  the  horn  is  enough,  and  no  matter 
the  music.  For  this  is  an  ancient  horn  and  a 
magical,  and  there  is  none  among  us  that  is 
able  to  sound  it,  save  Hubert  only :  but  it  may 
be  that  you  also  are  able,  for  there  was  a  power 
upon  you  from  the  beginning. 

Then  Ywain  went  forth  and  stood  before  the 
door,  and  looked  out  over  the  city,  and  he  saw 
it  as  a  town  of  faery,  for  it  was  new  and  soft 
with  snow.  And  he  set  the  horn  to  his  mouth, 
and  blew  therein  with  all  his  strength,  and  the 
note  that  he  sounded  was  a  mort  royal :  for  he 
said  within  himself:  God  willing,  we  have 
hunted  an  evil  thing  to  death. 
340 


Alad 


ore 


And  the  sound  of  the  horn  blared  out  and 
went  wide  upon  the  air,  and  it  came  loudly 
into  all  the  quarters  of  the  city  and  into  every 
street  and  every  house,  and  there  was  no  man 
in  Paladore  that  heard  it  not.  And  they  which 
heard  it  were  awoke  out  of  sleep,  and  the  most 
of  them  groaned  and  turned  them  to  their 
sleep  again :  but  upon  others  came  fear  and 
hatred,  and  they  got  them  quickly  to  their 
armour.  And  the  Eagles  also  heard  it  and 
were  glad,  and  they  did  on  their  swords  which 
they  kept  in  hiding,  and  issued  forth  to  go 
upon  their  enemies. 

But  Ywain  stood  upon  the  head  of  the  steps 
that  were  before  the  Hall,  and  he  looked  out 
over  the  city  and  saw  no  man  stirring,  nor  he 
heard  no  sound  of  feet.  And  fear  came  upon 
him  and  loneliness  and  he  thought  upon  Aithne 
and  said  to  her :  O  my  beloved,  I  have  brought 
you  to  your  death.  And  she  answered  him 
proudly :  Nay,  not  yet :  for  you  have  sounded 
but  once,  and  there  are  many  faithful. 

Then  Ywain  took  the  horn  and  blew  it  the 
341 


Aladore 


second  time;  and  all  they  which  were  his 
began  to  run  towards  the  place  where  he  was, 
and  they  ran  quickly,  as  men  that  thought  not 
on  danger,  for  joy  that  the  time  was  come. 
And  Ywain  saw  them  how  they  came  running, 
and  his  heart  was  uplifted  with  their  joy  and 
their  fellowship,  and  his  blood  within  him 
became  like  wine.  And  he  set  the  horn  to  his 
mouth  and  blew  it  yet  a  third  time,  louder 
than  before,  and  the  sound  of  it  smote  the 
walls  of  Paladore,  and  the  gates  and  the  towers 
and  the  houses  great  and  little,  and  all  the 
whole  city  rang  therewith,  and  the  air  trem- 
bled and  the  sky  was  filled  with  echoes. 

Then  the  desire  of  battle  came  upon  the 
Eagles  and  they  ran  together  to  Ywain  and 
thronged  upon  the  steps  before  him ;  and  they 
lifted  up  their  swords  and  shouted  as  it  were 
one  man,  and  the  noise  of  their  shouting 
went  up  mightily  and  was  mingled  with  the 
echoes  of  the  horn. 


342 


CHAPTER    LV. 

HOW  THE  EAGLES  FARED  IN  FIGHTING,  AND 
HOW  SIR  RAINALD  WOULD  HAVE  DEALT 
WITH   YWAIN. 

Then  when  the  sound  of  the  horn  had  ceased 
Ywain  held  up  his  hand  and  stayed  the  noise 
of  the  shouting,  and  he  spoke  and  said  to  the 
Eagles  how  they  should  go  with  him  to  take 
the  gate  of  the  city,  and  so  to  bring  Hubert 
in.  And  they  all  assented  thereto  and  made 
them  ready.  But  Ywain  turned  him  about 
and  looked  upon  Aithne,  and  a  sharp  pain 
went  through  his  heart  and  he  said  to  her: 
I  am  distressed,  O  my  beloved,  because  of 
you :  for  to-day  by  the  space  of  an  hour  we 
must  be  parted  one  from  other.  And  I  know 
not  how  to  leave  you,  for  I  fear  the  great 
343 


Alad 


ore 


ones  of  Paladore.  And  Aithne  answered  him 
lightly,  and  she  said :  Go  now,  and  have  no 
fear :  for  there  is  a  chapel  beside  this  Hall, 
and  it  is  long  time  forsaken  and  forgotten, 
and  there  shall  I  be  in  sanctuary,  until  you 
come  again.  Then  Ywain  looked  sadly  at 
her,  and  she  said  to  him  :  And  if  so  be  that 
you  come  not  again,  then  in  some  other  place 
shall  you  and  I  be  met  together.  And  she 
took  him  by  the  hand  and  led  him  in,  and 
he  went  throughout  the  Hall  and  found  the 
chapel  as  she  had  said :  and  they  came  by 
a  bailey  from  the  Hall  into  the  chapel,  and 
there  they  kissed  and  parted  in  the  best 
manner  that  might  be,  as  of  lovers  parting 
in  dread. 

Then  Ywain  came  forth  again  to  the  Eagles, 
and  he  took  a  sword  naked  in  his  hand  and 
went  before  them :  and  they  came  swiftly  to 
the  gate  and  looked  to  find  it  open,  for  they 
were  agreed  with  the  porter  and  with  the 
guard.  But  they  found  it  right  otherwise, 
for  the  porter  lay  there  slain  upon  the  snow, 
344 


Aladore 


and  before  the  gatehouse  was  no  guard,  but 
a  great  company  of  spears.  And  Ywain  per- 
ceived the  malice  of  his  enemy  and  he  cried 
out  to  Dennis :  This  is  that  Sir  Rainald, 
and  he  has  outrun  us  by  his  craft,  for  I  saw 
him  running  counter  upon  our  trail. 

And  right  as  he  was  speaking  there  came 
a  noise  from  without  the  gate,  and  Ywain 
and  his  shouted  together  and  called  on 
Hubert  by  his  name.  And  they  which  were 
without  heard  them  shouting,  and  they  cried 
the  war-cry  of  the  Eagles,  and  battered  with 
axes  upon  the  gate.  And  Ywain  called  his 
company  to  rescue,  and  he  went  before  them 
and  they  set  on  fiercely  upon  the  spears, 
and  the  men  of  the  Eagles  and  the  men  of 
the  Tower  hewed  and  thrust  on  this  side 
and  on  that  and  were  mingled  furiously  in 
battle.  And  for  the  space  of  half-an-hour 
they  had  no  mastery  either  of  other,  but 
they  swung  back  and  forward  like  two  wrest- 
lers, seeking  their  advantage  in  great  grips 
together. 

345 


Aladore 


Then  at  the  last  their  breath  began  to  fail 
them,  and  they  drew  a  little  apart  and  stood 
looking  one  upon  another.  And  they  of  the 
Tower  perceived  how  the  Eagles  were  minished, 
for  they  were  fewer  from  the  beginning,  and 
though  they  had  slain  each  his  man,  yet  were 
many  of  them  dead  upon  the  spears.  And 
when  the  spearmen  saw  that  they  called 
each  to  other  to  go  forward  and  make  an 
end,  and  they  came  thrusting  heavily  upon 
Ywain  and  his,  and  by  their  weight  they 
drove  them  backward.  And  more  especially 
they  thrust  upon  them  by  the  right  hand 
and  by  the  left,  that  they  might  close  them 
in  on  every  side  :  but  they  prevailed  not,  for 
the  street  was  narrow.  Notwithstanding  they 
continued  thrusting,  and  Ywain  perceived 
their  intent,  and  feared  it,  for  he  saw  how 
it  should  be  when  they  were  come  into  the 
market-place.  And  he  gathered  his  strength 
together  and  shouted  loudly  to  the  Eagles; 
and  they  strove  as  men  desperate,  and  lopped 
their  enemies  both  spear  and  spearman,  and 
so  stayed  them  from  their  thrusting.  Then 
346 


Aladore 


when  Ywain  saw  that  they  were  stayed,  he 
commanded  the  Eagles  to  be  gone  suddenly: 
and  they  ran  back  and  escaped  over  the 
market-place,  and  came  to  the  Great  Hall 
and  were  gathered  together  upon  the  steps 
before  the  door. 

And  Ywain  looked  down  from  the  steps 
and  saw  his  enemies  before  him,  and  they 
were  strong  men  armed  and  armoured,  and 
they  came  running  to  the  foot  of  the  steps 
like  the  sea-tide  upon  the  beach.  And  he 
looked  back  upon  his  own  men  and  saw  them 
few  and  faint,  and  it  came  into  his  mind  that 
the  end  was  not  far  off  from  them. 

Then  the  spearmen  made  them  ready  again 
for  battle,  for  they  were  strictly  commanded 
that  they  should  assault  the  place  and  stint 
not  till  they  had  taken  it.  So  they  came  upon 
the  steps  with  spears  all  thick  together,  as 
it  had  been  thorns  in  a  quickset  hedge,  and 
they  began  to  push  the  Eagles  upward  from 
step  to  step.  And  Ywain  saw  their  dealing, 
and  he  perceived  the  vantage  which  they  had 
thereby,  and  the  danger :  for  they  were 
347 


Aladore 


clumped  so  close  that  they  could  not  move, 
except  it  were  to  go  forward  all  together. 
Then  he  ran  and  stooped  quickly,  and  he 
loosened  a  great  stone  of  the  flags  which  were 
before  the  Hall,  and  he  came  forward  again 
upon  the  steps  and  cast  it  down  upon  the 
spearmen :  and  it  fell  like  death  among  them, 
and  they  cried  out  piteously  and  went  back- 
ward, and  in  their  fear  they  trampled  one 
upon  another.  And  Ywain  and  his  made 
haste  and  took  up  other  like  stones,  for  there 
was  there  no  lack,  and  they  stood  ready  to 
hurtle  them  down  after  the  same  manner: 
but  the  spearmen  gave  ground  and  would  not 
abide  their  coming.  And  some  among  them 
clamoured  that  they  should  send  for  archers, 
to  shoot  safely  upon  the  Eagles  :  and  when 
the  Eagles  heard  them  clamouring  they  bade 
them  good  speed,  for  they  knew  how  the 
archers  were  a  free  company,  and  favoured 
not  the  Tower.  So  the  battle  stood  still  on 
this  side  and  on  that,  until  that  some  new 
thing  should  fortune. 

Then  with  watching  the  day  began  to  pass 
348 


Aladore 


over,  and  the  great  bell  of  Paladore  rang  noon 
above  them.  And  in  the  same  moment  there 
was  a  stir  among  the  spearmen  and  the 
throng  of  them  was  parted  in  the  midst  and 
one  came  forth  and  began  to  go  upon  the 
steps.  And  Ywain  was  astonished,  for  he 
which  came  was  Sir  Rainald,  and  he  came 
courteously  and  without  fear.  And  he  gave 
Ywain  greeting,  and  looked  cheerily  there- 
with ;  and  he  demanded  to  speak  with  him 
privily,  and  truce  to  be  had  between  them 
while  they  continued  one  with  the  other. 

So  they  went  into  the  Great  Hall,  they  two 
alone,  and  the  door  was  shut  to  behind  them. 
And  Sir  Rainald  began  to  speak  with  Ywain 
as  one  that  found  no  fault  in  him,  but  he 
blamed  only  the  Archbishop  and  his,  and  he 
named  their  curses  witless  and  unlawful. 
And  Ywain  answered  him :  All  this  I  have 
forgotten,  for  I  only  am  accursed :  but  to-day 
our  fighting  is  against  a  more  evil  custom, 
and  there  is  nothing  shall  stay  us  except 
death  only.  Then  Sir  Rainald  looked  kindly 
upon  him  and  said :  A  pity  of  your  fighting, 
349 


Alad 


ore 


and  of  your  friends :  for  there  are  few  of 
them  which  are  not  slain  or  hurt.  And  the 
pity  is  this,  that  if  you  would,  the  weak 
should  be  the  stronger. 

Now  when  he  had  said  these  words  he 
looked  fixedly  upon  Ywain,  and  he  took  his 
hand  and  set  a  great  ring  upon  his  finger : 
and  Ywain  saw  the  stone  of  the  ring,  and  in 
it  were  the  arms  of  Paladore  engraven.  And 
Sir  Rainald  said:  The  Prince  hath  left  none 
to  inherit  him,  save  you  only:  for  there  is 
none  other  that  hath  power  in  Paladore. 

Then  Ywain's  heart  fluttered  like  a  bird  in 
his  bosom,  and  for  a  moment  he  thought  to 
have  escaped  the  death.  Then  his  eyes  were 
lightened  and  he  remembered  him  of  the 
Prince,  how  he  had  seen  him  in  his  chains. 
And  he  said  to  Sir  Rainald :  Take  the  ring 
again  :  for  your  princes  have  no  power  against 
your  customs,  else  had  they  never  been  so 
bound.  Then  Sir  Rainald  took  the  ring  and 
went  out :  and  he  spoke  no  word,  nor  he  let 
no  sign  be  seen  upon  his  face. 
350 


CHAPTER     LVI. 

HOW  YWAIN    BEHELD   A   DEAD    MAN    LAID 
ON    BIER. 

Now  when  Sir  Rainald  was  departed  the  men 
of  the  Tower  made  no  more  show  of  fighting, 
but  they  drew  oif  a  little  space  and  set  a 
watch  upon  the  Eagles :  and  they  fetched 
wood  and  kindled  them  a  fire,  for  the  day 
began  to  darken  and  the  snow  was  cold  about 
their  feet.  And  the  Eagles  kept  their  guard 
upon  the  steps,  for  they  durst  not  move  there- 
from, but  their  hope  was  that  Hubert  and  his 
should  presently  break  in  and  rescue  them. 

And  the  dusk  fell,  and  Ywain  looked  forth 

over  the  market  -  place,  and   he  saw  a  child 

which  walked  alone  and  made  to  come  from 

the  one   side  to  the  other  openly.      And  by 

351 


Aladore 


his  going  Ywain  knew  him  without  doubt, 
and  he  was  the  boy  by  whom  he  had  gone 
forth  on  pilgrimage.  And  he  saw  how  the 
boy  passed  through  the  midst  of  the  spear- 
men and  they  perceived  him  not :  and  though 
he  trod  downright  upon  the  snow,  yet  he  left 
behind  him  no  footprint  nor  any  mark  of  his 
going.  And  as  he  had  passed  through  the 
spearmen  so  also  he  passed  among  the  Eagles, 
and  he  came  to  Ywain  and  took  him  by  the 
hand :  and  he  led  him  through  the  Hall  and 
through  the  bailey,  and  brought  him  to  the 
chapel. 

Now  the  chapel  was  dim  with  twilight,  and 
Ywain  entered  within  it  and  stood  still ;  for 
he  looked  to  see  Aithne,  and  at  the  first  he 
saw  her  not.  But  the  child  that  was  with 
him  drew  him  by  the  hand,  and  he  went 
farther,  and  came  before  the  altar.  And 
there  upon  the  north  side  of  the  choir  was 
a  tomb  beneath  a  canopy  of  carven  stone, 
and  the  tomb  was  by  seeming  empty,  for 
there  was  upon  it  no  effigy,  nor  arms  nor 
352 


Alad 


ore 


words  memorial ;  but  beside  it  was  Aithne  in 
sanctuary,  and  she  was  fallen  asleep  upon  the 
floor  of  the  chapel.  And  Ywain  regarded  her 
lovingly,  and  he  had  great  comfort  of  her 
beauty,  seeing  how  she  lay  as  one  at  rest 
and  upon  her  face  was  no  care  but  only  the 
softness  of  sleep.  Then  the  child  left  hold- 
ing of  Ywain's  hand,  and  he  went  apart  and 
kneeled  upon  the  step  which  was  before  the 
altar,  and  there  he  folded  his  hands  together 
and  bowed  his  head :  and  when  Ywain  saw 
him  so  kneeling,  then  upon  him  also  fell 
peace  and  quietness  of  heart.  And  he  bowed 
his  head  after  the  like  manner,  and  when  he 
lifted  it  up  he  saw  the  child  no  more. 

Then  he  heard  above  him  the  sound  of  a 
bell  that  was  tolling  stroke  by  stroke,  and 
the  door  of  the  chapel  was  opened  behind 
him  and  the  sound  of  the  bell  came  in  clearly, 
and  with  it  came  a  wind  as  cold  as  death. 
And  Ywain  turned  and  saw  how  there  entered 
in  six  men  in  white  clothes  and  black,  with 
hoods  about  their  faces :  and  they  bore  upon 
z  353 


Aladore 


their  shoulders  a  bier,  and  that  which  lay 
thereon  was  covered  with  a  pall.  And  the 
three  which  were  on  one  side  were  all  in 
black,  and  the  three  which  were  on  the  other 
side  were  all  in  white :  and  they  set  down  the 
bier  before  the  altar  and  kneeled  beside  it. 
And  there  came  in  after  them  a  great  com- 
pany of  knights,  and  they  were  all  armed  and 
visored,  and  their  surcoats  above  their  armour 
were  of  black  or  else  of  white.  And  with  that 
company  the  chapel  was  fulfilled  from  end  to 
end  and  from  side  to  side,  and  in  every 
knight's  hand  was  a  candle  burning ;  and  the 
flame  of  the  candles  was  clear  and  bright,  and 
wavered  not  for  any  wind. 

Then  one  stood  forth  between  the  altar 
and  the  bier,  and  prayed  aloud;  and  the 
words  which  he  prayed  were  old  words,  yet 
was  their  sound  stranger  than  an  unknown 
tongue.  And  thereafter  he  began  to  sing  a 
solemn  chant,  and  all  the  company  of  knights 
made  their  response  :  and  the  sound  of  their 
chanting  went  over  Ywain  as  it  were  the 
354 


Aladore 


deep  sea  closing  up  his  eyes.  And  he  strove 
with  all  his  force,  whether  to  move  from 
that  place  or  to  cry  out,  for  he  was  in  an 
agony:  but  neither  his  body  moved  nor  his 
tongue  gave  utterance. 

Then  he  that  said  the  office  made  a  sign 
of  blessing,  and  the  knights  fell  down  upon 
their  knees.  And  afterwards  they  rose  up 
altogether  and  chanted  again  right  joyfully, 
and  they  went  forth  singing,  and  the  sound 
of  their  voices  came  back  out  of  the  night. 
And  they  left  there  the  bier  before  the  altar, 
and  at  the  head  of  it  were  seven  candles 
burning. 

Then  Ywain  was  loosed  from  his  bondage 
and  his  spirit  returned  into  his  body,  and  he 
wept  silently  because  his  agony  was  past. 
And  he  longed  to  find  the  meaning  of  that 
which  he  had  seen,  for  in  his  life -days  he 
had  seen  many  visions  and  dreamed  many 
dreams,  but  none  like  to  this,  neither  for 
dread  nor  for  deliverance.  And  as  he  thought 
thereon  he  cast  his  eyes  upon  the  bier,  and 
355 


Aladore 


when  he  beheld  it  he  knew  that  the  vision 
was  not  yet  ended,  seeing  that  this  also  was 
part  of  it. 

Then  he  went  forward,  for  his  feet  drew 
him ;  yet  he  trembled  also  and  his  heart 
was  shaken,  and  he  had  great  need  of  hardi- 
hood. And  he  came  trembling  and  stood 
beside  the  bier  and  looked  down  upon  the 
pall :  and  under  it  was  the  semblance  of  one 
lying  alone.  And  Ywain  put  forth  his  hand 
and  took  hold  on  the  edge  of  the  pall,  and 
he  drew  back  the  pall  upon  the  bier  and 
looked  and  saw  the  face  of  him  which  lay 
thereon.  And  when  he  beheld  it,  in  that 
same  instant  there  came  into  his  mind 
remembrance  of  all  deeds  that  ever  he  had 
done,  and  he  saw  them  afar  off,  and  some 
of  them  were  as  lights  which  flare  up  and 
fade  again,  and  other  of  them  were  as  fires 
which  smoulder  and  will  not  be  put  out. 
And  in  like  manner  he  remembered  all  men 
and  all  women  whomsoever  he  had  known, 
and  he  saw  them  afar  off  and  had  pleasure 
356 


Aladore 


in  them  all :  for  he  saw  them  not  as  doers 
of  good  and  of  evil  but  as  pilgrims  only, 
and  every  one  walking  by  the  light  that  was 
in  him. 

Then  he  stretched  out  his  hand  and  took 
the  pall  again  to  cover  the  face  of  the  dead. 
And  when  he  had  covered  it  he  stood  a  long 
time  questioning :  for  the  face  which  he  had 
seen  was  his  own  face,  and  it  was  secret  as 
silence  is  secret. 


357 


CHAPTER    LVII. 

OF  A   BATTLE    BY    FIRE    AND    HOW    YWAIN    AND 
AITHNE  WERE   NO  MORE   SEEN   IN   PALADORE. 

Then  Ywain  heard  a  voice  which  called  him 
by  his  name,  and  it  was  the  voice  of  Aithne, 
and  she  came  to  him  and  stood  beside  him. 
And  he  said  to  her:  Come  not  nigh  the 
bier,  for  there  is  one  thereon  which  hath  a 
secret  in  his  face.  And  she  said :  I  also 
have  seen  that  face,  for  I  saw  it  in  a  dream. 
And  for  the  secret,  be  not  troubled  over- 
much, for  the  end  is  coming  when  all  things 
shall  be  made  plain.  Then  said  Ywain : 
O  beloved,  I  doubt  not :  but  when  I  looked 
upon  the  dead  I  trembled,  and  I  tremble 
yet,  for  the  face  will  not  be  gone  from  me. 

Then  Aithne  came  near  to  him  and  stood 
before   him,    and   she    laid    her    hands   upon 
his   forehead   and  closed   up  his   eyes.      And 
358 


Alad 


ore 


immediately  his  care  went  from  him,  and  he 
was  covered  round  as  with  soft  wings  of 
peace.  And  afterwards  Aithne  drew  down 
her  hands  from  off  his  face,  and  he  looked 
before  him :  and  the  bier  was  vanished  and 
that  which  lay  upon  it,  and  the  place  was 
void.  Howbeit  the  seven  candles  were  not 
vanished,  but  they  stood  burning  in  seven 
great  candlesticks,  and  the  flames  of  them 
were  like  seven  spearheads  of  gold. 

So  they  two  stood  hand  in  hand  and  looked 
upon  the  light :  and  in  the  same  instant  there 
came  a  noise  of  shouting  from  before  the  Hall, 
and  they  ran  hastily  and  came  forth  upon  the 
steps.  And  there  beneath  them  was  the 
whole  place  filled  with  torches  and  with 
spears,  and  they  heard  their  enemies  shout- 
ing fiercely  against  them.  And  they  heard 
also  the  sound  of  bowstrings,  and  the 
arrows  came  thick  about  them :  and  upon 
every  arrow  was  a  pennon  of  quick  flame, 
and  they  came  through  the  night  like  fiery 
serpents  flying.  And  some  of  the  arrows 
entered  into  the  Great  Hall  and  lit  upon  the 
359 


Al  adore 


beams  and  upon  the  carven  wood  :  and  the 
flame  licked  upon  the  wood,  and  there  was 
no  force  to  stay  it.  And  Ywain  saw  well 
that  the  end  was  come,  for  there  was  no 
rescue,  and  the  fire  began  to  roar  among  the 
timbers  of  the  roof:  and  in  his  heart  was  no 
more  care,  but  he  rejoiced  with  a  new  joy, 
such  as  he  had  not  known  in  all  his  days. 
And  he  came  forth  before  his  people,  and 
in  his  right  hand  he  took  his  sword,  and  in 
his  left  hand  he  took  the  hand  of  his  beloved. 
And  he  looked  down  upon  the  faces  of  his 
enemies  and  he  laughed  aloud  and  cried  to 
them:  Come  near  and  take  what  is  left  of 
the  night,  for  to-morrow  is  ours  and  all  that 
is  to  come. 

Then  the  arrows  flew  more  thickly,  and 
the  torches  came  onward  with  the  spears, 
and  the  place  was  filled  with  flame  and 
death.  And  Ywain  and  Aithne  went  swiftly 
down,  and  all  their  people  with  them  :  and 
the  battle  swayed  about  them  heavily,  and 
they  were  no  more  seen. 
360 


CHAPTER    LVIII. 

OF  A  TOMB  THAT  WAS  FOUND  IN  PALADORE, 
AND  OF  DIVERS  SAYINGS  THAT  WERE 
HEARD   CONCERNING   IT. 

In  the  same  hour  caaie  a  noise  of  shouting 
from  the  West,  and  Hubert  and  his  broke  in 
upon  the  battle.  And  they  struck  upon  the 
spearmen  as  the  wood-knife  strikes  upon  the 
ashHngs,  so  that  there  was  neither  resistance 
nor  recovery,  but  all  laid  to  length  upon  the 
ground.  And  when  they  had  made  an  end 
of  their  enemies,  then  they  sought  busily  to 
find  their  fellows,  if  there  might  be  any  with 
the  life  yet  in  them.  And  they  found  of 
them  one  here  and  another  there,  for  they 
were  buried  beneath  the  slain :  but  Ywain 
361 


Aladore 


and  Aithne  they  found   not,  neither  sign   of 
them,  neither  report. 

And  when  it  was  morning  light  then  they 
made  search  again  :  and  they  came  into  the 
chapel  wherein  Aithne  had  been  in  sanctuary. 
And  there  also  they  sought,  and  when  they 
came  before  the  altar  and  saw  the  tomb  that 
was  thereby,  then  they  found  that  which 
they  sought  not.  For  upon  the  tomb  were 
two  lying  in  semblance  of  a  man  and  a 
woman :  but  they  were  fashioned  of  black 
bronze  after  the  manner  of  the  tombs  of 
kings.  And  the  faces  of  them  were  the 
faces  of  Ywain  and  Aithne,  and  they  lay 
there  as  they  had  been  sleeping. 

And  they  which  saw  them  marvelled :  and 
one  said :  They  are  here  sleeping,  and  belike 
they  will  come  again  from  their  sleep.  And 
another  said :  Nay,  how  shall  this  be ;  for 
they  were  but  man  and  woman,  like  unto 
ourselves.  But  Hubert  rebuked  them  both, 
for  he  said :  They  are  not  here  but  other- 
where, and  their  sleep  is  but  a  semblance. 
362 


Aladore 


And  doubtless  the  pilgrim  hath  achieved  his 
pilgrimage,  for  he  learned  of  his  lady:  and 
she  came  and  went  of  her  own  magic,  and 
had  from  her  birth  the  Rhymer's  heritage. 


THE   END. 


PRINTED   BY  WILLIAM   BLACKWOOD  AND  SONS. 


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